Donald Locke Symposium: Edge of Spirit

Held alongside the ongoing exhibition, – London’s first comprehensive survey of Guyanese-British ceramicist, painter and sculptor Donald Locke – this symposium brings together leading artists, writers, curators and scholars to explores Locke’s expansive, transnational practice across Guyana, the United Kingdom and the United States. Working across ceramics, painting, assemblage and drawing, Locke developed a singular visual language shaped by history, identity and material experimentation, one that continues to resonate with urgent contemporary questions around diaspora, memory and cultural production.

Working across Guyana, the United Kingdom and the United States, Locke developed a singular approach to making shaped by a sustained engagement with history, identity and material experimentation. Spanning more than five decades, his work moves between ceramics, painting, assemblage and drawing, resisting fixed categorisation while remaining attentive to the cultural and political conditions that informed it.

Structured as a series of chapters, the symposium offers a space to consider the evolving ideas, materials and influences that shaped Locke’s practice, alongside his enduring commitment to articulating the complex and hybrid contributions of Black culture to modernity.

Organised by Gina Buenfeld-Murley, Brenda Locke and Matt Williams.

Ticket Types:

Three ticket types are available for this event:
Concession: £15
Standard: £20
Standard + Donald Locke Catalogue: £45

Those who purchase the ticket + catalogue option will be able to pick up their copy at the event.

Contributors:
Martin Clark
Dr Giulia Smith
Grace Aneiza Ali
Robert Leckie
Shamica Ruddock
Indra Khanna
David A. Bailey
Phoebe Collings-James
Dr Marsha Pearce
Dr Jake Subryan Richards
Gina Buenfeld-Murley
Brenda Locke
Imani Mason Jordan

Programme

1-1.15pm: Welcome
Delivered by Martin Clark

1.15-2pm: Chapter 1: Resistant Forms
Giulia Smith and Grace Aneiza Ali, in conversation with Robert Leckie (50 mins)

2-2.50pm: Chapter 2: Pork Knocker
Shamica Ruddock and Indra Khanna
Chaired by David A. Bailey (50 mins)

2.50-3.10pm: Break (20 mins)

3.10-4pm: Chapter 3: Diasporic Materialities
Phoebe Collings-James and Dr Marsha Pearce
Chaired by Dr Jake Subryan Richards (50 mins)

4-4.20pm: Afternoon break (20 mins)

4.20-5.10pm: Chapter 4: The Atlanta Period
Gina Buenfeld-Murley and Brenda Locke (50 mins)

5.10-5.40pm: Chapter 5: Speaking Locke
Reading by Imani Mason Jordan (30 mins)

5.40-5.55pm: Closing Remarks (15 mins)

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Host or Publisher Camden Art Centre