Drawing Diversity: artist-in-residence project
Thursday, 16 July 2020
The University of Reading Art Collection in partnership with Reading Museum have appointed Saranjit Birdi as artist-in-residence connected to the upcoming exhibition at Reading Museum, Rubens to Sickert: The Study of Drawing (new dates to be announced).
Birdi will pose questions around diversity in drawing practices and produce a new commission for the University of Reading Art Collection responding to the exhibition which highlights the University’s important historic collection of master drawings.
In his practice, Birdi uses the whole body as an innovative drawing tool which often extends into drawing performance. His work explores issues of diversity in today’s intercultural society. He will collaborate with students, community groups and members of the public to develop a multi-layered engagement project that explores stories and approaches largely missing from traditional art exhibitions.
Emerging artist duo Jerome Ince-Mitchell and Sae Yeoun Hwang will also be taking up a micro-residency in gallery space during the exhibition. Centred around an experimental “drawing studio”, their aim will be to encourage visitors to engage in conversation and with the physical act of drawing.
The exhibition was made possible with a grant from the Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund and funding from Arts Council England awarded to Museums Partnership Reading. The “Drawing Diversity” residency project has received further support from the University’s Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Fund and the University Arts Strategy.
To keep up to date with details of the residency projects, hear the new exhibition dates , please visit the University Art Collection website.