Ocular Inc

About

Johann Arens, Claire Baily, Bhagwati Prasad + Hemant Sreekumar, Felix Bahret, Victoria Craven, Naomi Fitzsimmons, Rhona Foster, Lilah Fowler, Rae Hicks, Saudamini Kalra, Jon Kipps, Alice May Williams, Milly Thompson, Suzanne Treister, Jack West, Rafal Zajko

Curated by Neena Percy and Lizzy Drury

Position yourself with feet comfortably apart, head and shoulders relaxed. Adjust to this viewing position. Keep the knees slightly bent so as not to strain the knee joints. Observe the artwork for a healthy amount of time.

Ocular Inc transforms the Thames-Side Studios Gallery into an anonymous workplace. Dissecting past, current and imagined modes of labour and production, artworks direct the visitor-employee around the site. From sculpture to sound, the artists’ manual or mechanical processes simulate manufacturing and working environments.

Installed within the grounds of a working factory in the industrial area of Woolwich, and against the backdrop of continuous Brexit uncertainty, the exhibition takes place at a poignant economic and political moment. Presenting UK and international artists, Ocular Inc examines the cycles of work, escapism and reward, whilst de-mystifying the artist’s job title.

A talk will be held with GIRLFORUM (a platform that exposes power imbalances within the artworld and promotes models of care) and exhibiting artists. The panel will address the competitive and precarious nature of the art world, with its links to the capital value of artworks and the artist-as-genius; the realities of how artists’ support themselves and their practices financially; and how we can establish more transparent and supportive networks.