Why I Am So Angry: Q&A with Fedja Klikovac

Q: Can you discuss in more detail the protest Bob and Robert Smith made against Michael Grove?

A: It is not a protest against Michael Gove. Bob wants Art to become an election issue. Michael Gove is the one who paved this governments disregard for art which led to the Education Secretary Nicky Morgan’s outrageous statement that art is holding back our children. Bob says that Michael Gove is his inspiration and he does understand that Michael Gove is passionate about education, but he thinks Michael has got it wrong.

Q: How is the work in the show articulating this protest and can you give example of some of the messaging on them?

A: One of the paintings in our current show 'Why I Am So Angry' says: 'My New Years resolution should be Michael Gove's revolution: To do every damn thing to reverse the 14% decline in children choosing art at GCSE (from 2010) and make 2015 the year in which 14% more 14 year olds take art & design at GCSE!

Q: Can you elucidate a bit more on the arts funding climate in the UK and how that is affecting artists and institutions.

The art industry is worth 76 billion. Any cuts to the arts do not make any difference to our economy. 1500 fewer children took A level arts in 2014. We used to spend 7p on every £100 of public spending on the arts, now we spend 3.5 pence. The budget of Arts Council is effectively cut in half. Everyone is concerned with what will happen when further cuts are announced. When you have cuts in Arts Council and local authorities cuts and no realistic prospects of entrepreneurs outside London willing to fund arts, you are facing a grim situation.

Q: Can you discuss what political actions Bob and Roberta Smith have done through their art work.

A: Bob and Roberta Smith's work has always been 'political action'. Bob and Roberta Smith was one of those who raised his voice against Tower Hamlets Council’s attempted sale of Henry Moore's sculpture popularly called 'Old Flo', which was always meant to stay in the public domain. This sculpture was dedicated to the women of London East End and their struggle during the second world war…and there is a painting in our show titled 'Not For Sale' which is about this….’Stop The War Campaign’, Labour Party and Iraq War…Green Show, ‘Insecticide is Birdicide’ at the Royal Festival Hall and many more to come.