in Frieze | 10 NOV 21

Discover the Arts Council Collection at No.9 Cork Street in December

Open from 3–15 December, ‘Right About Now’ showcases some of today's most ambitious contemporary British art

in Frieze | 10 NOV 21

Celebrating its 75th anniversary year, the Arts Council Collection presents ‘Right About Now’ an exhibition featuring highlights from its recent contemporary art acquisitions, including a number of works presented publicly for the first time. ‘Right About Now’ will be on view at No.9 Cork Street in London, Mayfair, from 3–15 December 2021. The exhibition is free and open to all.

The exhibition is the most extensive display of Arts Council Collection acquisitions to date. ‘Right About Now’ will highlight a diverse selection of contemporary British art, featuring 18 artists: Edward Allington, Jonathan Baldock, Olivia Bax, Oliver Beer, Shezad Dawood, Adam Farah, Miranda Forrester, Ryan Gander, Patrick Hough, Duncan Newton, Roy Oxlade, Liv Preston, Prem Sahib, Magda Stawarska-Beavan, Rosa-Johan Uddoh, Caroline Walker, Alison Watt and Partou Zia.

Arts Council collection, No.9 Cork Street, Magda Stawarska-Beavan Bracka 40, 2020 "Installation with paper and wooden structures; screenprints and digital print on Awagami Washi papers 4 channel audio" © the artist. Installation view at Yamamoto Keiko Rochaix, 2020. Image courtesy of the artist. Photo: Alexander Christie
Arts Council collection, No.9 Cork Street, Magda Stawarska-Beavan Bracka 40, 2020 "Installation with paper and wooden structures; screenprints and digital print on Awagami Washi papers 4 channel audio" © the artist. Installation view at Yamamoto Keiko Rochaix, 2020. Image courtesy of the artist. Photo: Alexander Christie

From multi-part installations to painting and moving image, the works displayed joined the Collection in 2019–2021 and represent some of the best and most ambitious modern and contemporary British art.

Caroline Walker Elaine, 2020  Oil on linen 125 x 100 cm © the artist  Image courtesy of the artist and Ingleby Gallery, Edinburgh
Caroline Walker, Elaine, 2020, Oil on linen, 125 x 100 cm. © the artist. Courtesy of the artist and Ingleby Gallery, Edinburgh

Of the 98 artworks acquired in 2019–2021, many of the remaining 65 not represented in ‘Right About Now’, are already on display or committed to loan in exhibitions across the UK and abroad, fulfilling the Arts Council Collection’s mission to bring art to every corner of the country through loans to museums, galleries, schools, hospitals, and other public institutions, as well as through its own touring exhibitions. 

Adam Farah I AM FREE (FREE AM I MIX), 2018 Digital print on wallpaper 245 x 210 cm © the artist  Image courtesy of the artist
Adam Farah, I AM FREE (FREE AM I MIX), 2018. Digital print on wallpaper, 245 x 210 cm © the artist. Courtesy of the artist

Throughout its history, the Arts Council Collection has supported artists throughout the UK, often at a very early stage in their career, and has given people an opportunity to enjoy the best of British art in museums, galleries, schools and public places across the country. We’re delighted to mark its 75th anniversary by presenting these latest acquisitions, which are an exciting addition to the Collection and demonstrate the diversity of talent working across the country today – Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair of Arts Council England

The exhibition is free and open to all.

Main image: Shezad Dawood, Leviathan, 2017, Resin with oxidised finish, 12 x 40 x 5 cm. © the artist

Courtesy of the artist

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