Handel Street Projects 14 Florence Street, London N1
Bob and Roberta Smith Why I Am So Angry
11 March – 9 May 2015
Wednesday – Friday 12:00 – 18:00
Saturday 10:00 – 13:00 and by appointment
Private View Tuesday 10 March 18:00 – 20:00
All Schols Should be Art Schools
Handel Street Projects is pleased to announce Bob and Roberta Smith’s Why
I Am So Angry, an artful stand against government attacks on art. Come and
support Bob’s campaign in Surrey Heath against Michael Gove, who paved
the governments disregard for the arts continued by Nicky Morgan, the
Education Secretary, with her shocking statement that choosing art subjects
held back children's career opportunities.
In his recent article in The Guardian newspaper Bob says: Since announcing
my intention, I have received a surprising amount of support, although some
people have mentioned that the economy, the NHS, housing and immigration
might figure ahead of the arts in voters’ thinking. But art is central to how we
live. Even in terms of money, the arts return £4 to the economy for every £1 of
public investment. The government’s own website states that the creative
industries contribute £71.5bn to the economy or £8m an hour. With regards to
NHS, there has been extensive research into the mental wellbeing gained
from engagement from the arts. Good housing is all about design – everything
from your car to your carpet has been designed by human beings armed with
nothing more than blank sheets of paper and pencils. The arts are about
starting a conversation. Whereas government restrictions on immigration slow
down and stifle touring productions, migration contributes to our culture and
makes the arts stronger. It is also true that in a time of difficulty, culture can
bring hope.
Bob and Roberta Smith has been on the forefront of British art since the
eighties. He is known for his politically engaging slogans and has been
curator of many art projects like Art U Need and Peace Camp. In 2013 Bob
and Roberta launched the Art Party, which seeks to better advocate the arts
to the Government. He has showed internationally and their work is in many
important collections including Tate and British Council. Patrick Brill performs
music with Ken Ardley Playboys, the group he co-founded and Apathy Band.
He is an associate professor at Sir John Cass Department of Art at London
Metropolitan University.
AUSTERITY IS SELF-DEFEATING! VOTE BOB!
Bob and Roberta’s fundraising exhibition
