Sensitive Content exhibition UNIT London 13th September - 15th October 2022
Equilibrium I, 2022
“ Curated by artist Helen Beard and art historians Alayo Akinkugbe and Maria Elena Buszek, the exhibition highlights artists who have been censored on the basis of their work depicting or giving voice to systematically marginalised groups – From Betty Tompkins’ paintings being seized by French customs in 1973, to the present-day barrage of social media flagging of feminist, queer and anti-racist works…
The inclusion of works such as Yo Mama’s Last Supper (1996) by Jamaican-American artist Renee Cox and Polar 2 by Chinese artist Xiao Lu, speak to the myriad ways in which artists have experienced censorship, from those who have had individual works publicly flagged for removal, to those whose practice addresses censorship in the act of creating their work. Cox’s photographic interpretation of Da Vinici’s Last Supper centred herself in the role of Jesus Christ, surrounded by black disciples and a white Judas. The work received backlash by the then-New York City Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, who subsequently called for a task force to set decency standards in public art institutions. Meanwhile, Lu’s Polar 2 (2016), a still from her 2016 performance during which she attempted to cut herself free from an enormous block of ice, symbolises the violent oppression faced by protesters in Hong Kong.
Sensitive Content further explores the role of social media platforms in engineering AI filters tasked with deciding what constitutes inappropriate content online. Following a grassroots campaign of petitions, complaints and protests, a 2019 meeting at Facebook headquarters sought to discuss a reconsideration of their nudity guidelines and its impact on artists. Three years on, artists and in particular those who platform systematically marginalised groups, encounter daily flagging, banning and removal of their work on social media.
Censorship has been a longstanding source of contention throughout the history of art as a violation of artistic freedom of expression. Museums, governments, and corporations have reserved the right to censor artworks for centuries on the grounds that they may deem what works are offensive to the public. In the present day, the conflict rages online, where artwork is removed according to the will of algorithms. Sensitive Content considers how these restrictions encourage a regression to a society of sanitised culture, and how artists across the last half-century have resolved to use their creativity to push back.” - Unit London, September 2022
See ‘Selected Press’ for more info.
INTERVIEW: The Wick
Helen was featured on the recently launched The Wick - founded by Katy Wickremesinghe of KTW. The Wick has been devised as an exploration of ‘Life through the lens of art and culture’ and features the visual arts, design, fashion, travel, happenings and business…As an extension of Katy’s ‘Monday Muse’ dinner series, The Wick interviewed Helen about her practice and upcoming projects:
https://thewickculture.com/monday-muse-multidisciplinary-artist-helen-beard/
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Helen Beard x Felt Culture x Unit Drops
To mark International Women’s Day on 8th March 2021, Helen Beard collaborated with @feltculture_bags to produce a limited edition, Danish felt bag based upon Helen’s recent oil painting: ‘If They Be Two, They Be Two So’ (2020). 10% of all sale proceeds will go to RISE - a charity helping people affected by domestic abuse. Available in an edition of 20, exclusively via Unit Drops: https://bit.ly/3vVSpqt
Helen Beard x W1 Curates
Helen Beard is now LIVE at Flannels, Oxford Street, London W1 until 29th November as part of W1 Curates series showcasing works from some of the most innovative artists from around the world. Flannels is now showing a selection of Helen's work, including paintings from her solo exhibitions at Unit London, Reflex Amsterdam and Newport Street Gallery in an extraordinary public art exhibition using state-of-the-art-technology.
W1 Curates bold and innovative approach to art has previously seen collaborations with Gagosian, David Bailey, Michael Craig-Martin and David Lachapelle. Helen is excited and honoured to be joining this roster of internationally renowned creatives.
@w1curates
@flannelsman
Flannels, Oxford St. W1
ART CAR BOOT FAIR 2020
The Viral Art Car Boot Fair continues! Thanks to all who have purchased ‘My Chalice, My Choice’ (2020), a tapestry kit based on Helen’s painting of the same name.
https://www.artcarbootfair.com/artist/helen-beard/
Video courtesy Sarah Lewis www.feltculture.com
THE DESIRE PATH PUBLICATION
The Desire Path at Reflex Amsterdam is Helen’s first solo show in Europe and is accompanied by a limited edition monograph and series of prints, including Leda and the Swan, 2020 (30 x 35cm) produced in an edition of 75, presented in a specially designed slipcased with a signed book. Available via info@reflexamsterdam.com
Leda and the Swan, 2020 limited-edition screenprint; The Desire Path, monograph.
THE DESIRE PATH 360°
You can now experience The Desire Path as a 360º tour via Artland:
The Desire Path
Reflex Gallery Amsterdam
Solo show
Now open until 30th September 2020
https://reflexamsterdam.com/exhibitions/helen-beard-the-desire-path
Reflex Gallery Amsterdam
Weteringschans 79A
1017 RX Amsterdam NL
My first solo show at:
Unit Gallery
3 Hanover Square
London
W1S 1HD
Preview on the 6th September
Runs from the 7th September -6th October 2019