Cyrus Kabiru
On his first visit to the UK, star Kenyan artist Cyrus Kabiru is leading an experimental workshop, Found in Deptford, as part of the V22 Summer Club. Swapping Nairobi for the streets of South London, Kabiru and local artist Richard Parry will accompany participants on a forage around Deptford Market, before heading back to V22 in Bermondsey to create sculptures and explore ideas thrown up by the objects collected. According to the organisers, the workshop aims to develop a “dialogue between place, context and perception”, by exploring how the objects might suggest alternative stories and strategies of place-making.
A more creative response to place (and what constitutes being ‘out of place’) might have been helpful during the debacle surrounding Kabiru’s recent visa application to the UK, the details of which have been recorded by his UK agent Ed Cross Fine Art here (and also appeared in this rather woolly article by Ian Birrell in the Independent). Kabiru was supposed to come and collect his recently awarded TEDGlobal fellowship in Edinburgh last month, but was denied a visa by the British High Commission in Nairobi. Although they subsequently reversed their decision, it was too late for him to attend the award ceremony. Edinburgh’s loss is London’s gain (and fortunately, Kabiru will be able collect his award at a later date in Los Angeles) but really, this should never have happened.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the visa restrictions on visiting artists, as well as a campaign to get them changed, have a look at the Manifesto Club’s Visiting Artists Campaign, and their recent statement on progress.
Workshop: Friday 20th July, 15.00-19.30
Price: £14 plus booking fee
Booking details: go to the eventbrite page
Location: meet at Deptford Railway Station at 3pm
African Art in London 