Part of the Project Art Works Collective at Hastings Contemporary, May 2021 © Project Art Works

Project Art Works collective is shortlisted for the Turner Prize

The recently announced Turner Prize shortlist consists of five art collectives including Hastings-based Project Art Works. Erica Smith salutes this inspiring and vibrant group.

Siddharth Gadiyar, Project Art Works Studio, 2018 © Project Art Works

This year, as a result of the limited opportunities for solo artists to exhibit their work, the Turner Prize judges chose to focus on groups of artists whose collaborative work has continued through lockdown. The shortlist is Array Collective, Black Obsidian Sound System (B.O.S.S), Cooking Sections, Gentle/Radical, and the locally based Project Art Works (PAW).

PAW is a collective of neurodiverse artists and makers working in Hastings. Established in 1997, collective members share an expanded idea of art created through collaborative practice with, for and by neurominorities. Through advocacy and activism in culture and care they seek to ensure that people with complex support needs have agency in their civic and creative lives.

Kate Adams OBE

Founding member Kate Adams MBE said, “We are stunned and excited by this turn of events! We began this journey nearly 25 years ago but sense change now. We are proud to be amongst a brilliant shortlist of artists and collectives – or rather connectives.”

The Turner Prize nomination is in recognition of PAW’s practice which celebrates and raises awareness of the dynamic and extraordinary contribution neurodivergent minorities make to society, art and culture. The artists’ work includes exhibitions, events, films and digital platforms. Over the last ten years, PAW has developed as an organisation – partly due to collaborative projects and initiatives such as the Arts Council England supported EXPLORERS strand, and the Film London Jarman Award 2020.

The jury praised PAW’s continuing work through the pandemic, both online and in a residency at Hastings Contemporary where passers-by could still encounter work by the collective through the windows of the closed gallery.

Project Art Works members wearing East Enders masks on an outing to Hastings Pier.

PAW comprises a core of up to 40 people. One of the collective, Mark Daniels said: “I’ve been working at this amazing place for a decade now in an incredible team of artist makers. I can safely say that every moment here has been jam packed with wonder and awe. The way that the organisation has supported everyone over the last difficult year has been humbling.”

Project Art Works will be part of the Turner Prize exhibition which opens at The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in Coventry this September. The winner will be announced on 1 December 2021. You can find out more on the Project Art Works website.

Read more about Project Art Works on HOT:
London Exhibition for Sharif Persaud ,
Project Art Works breaks through,
Hotel becomes gallery space for Project Art Works

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