‘To Dream Effectively’ is a group exhibition across Focal Point Gallery, Big Screen Southend and Southend High Street that brings together international artists whose work offers inventive, and at times cautionary reflections on a future that is conditional on how we dream it to be. It takes inspiration from the ground-breaking novels of science-fiction writer Ursula K Le. Guin (1929 to 2018).
The exhibition will run from 13 September 2020 to 17 January 2021. Be among the first to see it at the Opening Event on September 12th.
A wide range of works, including film, wall drawing, video game, sculpture and performance encompass the cosmic and geological to the ecological and ethical, prioritising non-binary and global narratives which offer a powerful alternative to the mainstream histories and viewpoints that dominate our past and present realities.
Artists include: Larry Achiampong, Sophia Al-Maria, A.S.T. (Alliance of the Southern Triangle), Diann Bauer, Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley, Caspar Heinemann, Leyla Pillai, Tabita Rezaire, Himali Singh Soin, Emilija Škarnulytė, Rosie Grace Ward. Please see here for Selected Biographies.
Antarctica Study No. 2, 2019 - Diann Bauer Resurrection Lands, 2019 - Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley
‘To Dream Effectively’ is accompanied by specially commissioned digital content, Talks, Gallery Tours, Family Days, Contemporary Elders’ events and workshops for Schools, Home Educated children, and Arts Award participants.
This includes an open call invitation for local residents of all ages to submit an artwork in the form of a text, photograph or drawing on the subject of ‘Imagining a New Future’. These artworks will then be displayed in the windows of an empty High Street retail unit for two weeks at the end of October to coincide with half term, allowing contributors, residents and visitors to Southend to see the artworks with appropriate social distancing in place.
Read more about the exhibition and what the artists will present at Focal Point Gallery’s webpage.
This project is supported by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Arts Council England Project Grants, and the Art Fund.
Alliance of the Southern Triangle we are opposite like that, 2019 - Himali Singh Soin
