Coventry Art Show is the homegrown, access-led fringe to the British Art Show 10, which opens in Coventry on 1st October – and is happening all across the city.
Talking Birds’ programme explores/investigates/interrogates the British Art Show’s ‘States of Nature’ theme inspired by ecological philosopher Timothy Morton’s writing about entanglement, interconnection and symbiosis – alongside Talking Birds’ own Regenerative Creative Practice.
As part of this, we currently have a call open for our States of Nature Artists’ Residency – see below.
States of Nature Residency at The Nest – deadline October 16th
The States of Nature residency is part of Talking Birds’ programme for The Coventry Art Show.
OPEN CALL FOR AN ARTIST IN ANY DISCIPLINE – States of Nature Residency 16th Nov-4th Dec
Talking Birds is looking for an artist in any discipline interested in exploring/investigating/interrogating the ‘States of Nature’ theme of the British Art Show – and ecological philosopher Timothy Morton’s writing about entanglement, interconnection and symbiosis – within the environs of The Nest and the context of Talking Birds’ Regenerative Creative Practice.
“…you are already a symbiotic being entangled with other symbiotic beings. The problem with ecological awareness and action isn’t that it’s horribly difficult. It’s that it’s too easy. You are breathing air, your bacterial microbiome is humming away, evolution is silently unfolding in the background. Somewhere, a bird is singing and clouds pass overhead…You don’t have to be ecological. Because you are ecological.” [Timothy Morton, All Art is Ecological]
What does this opportunity consist of?
Dedicated studio space at The Nest, including access to Talking Birds’ library (which includes some of Timothy Morton’s writing alongside other ecological titles), green space and staff expertise. Mentoring/skill-sharing support and access support, and a public work-in-progress sharing at the end of the residency.
What are we expecting of the selected artist?
We are expecting that – before applying – you will have visited the British Art Show works showing in Coventry, paying specific attention to pieces that have been selected under the States of Nature curatorial theme, and that this will have given rise to some thoughts and responses already – which will inform your application.
At the start of the residency, we expect that the artist will:
– immerse themselves in the ecology of The Nest, its green and blue environs, and the lifeforms supported by these habitats;
– explore Talking Birds’ ethos of Regenerative Creative Practice and determine ways that this relates to both the show theme and the local ecology.
At the close of the residency, we will support/assist the artist to put together a public work in progress sharing – this might be in the form of a research room installation, an open studio, or more finished pieces, an artists talk or themed discussion event: the exact format depends on the artist and the way the residency progresses – together we will find a format that will allow you to best share your exploration/work in progress.
Nuts & Bolts
The closing date for applications will be October 16th, to give applicants the opportunity to view and respond to the States of Nature strand in the British Art Show exhibitions in their application/proposal.
The applicant will be selected by Talking Birds on the basis of their enquiry-proposal and how it chooses to respond to the combination of prompts – ie the States of Nature Strand Theme, Timothy Morton’s wider ideas & Talking Birds’ Regenerative Creative Practice.
As with Talking Birds’ Hatching Residencies, this opportunity will only be open to locally-based (CV postcode) artists, with priority given to artists identifying as d/Deaf, Disabled and/or Neurodivergent. It will also offer tailored mentoring/skill-sharing and access support.
Dedicated studio space at The Nest will be available to the Resident from 16th November-4th December inclusive, and additional sharing/exhibition/event space will be available from 7th-11th Dec (including set up and get out), with an anticipated open sharing on the evening of Wednesday 9th December, and/or during the day on Thursday 10th December. As with other residencies we offer, we ask artists to produce a reflective blogpost at the end of their time with us.
The selected artist will receive £2,000
There is some additional budget for materials and for putting the sharing together.
Applications from former Hatching Residents are welcome.
More about States of Nature in the British Art Show
States of Nature is inspired by ecological philosopher Timothy Morton’s call for a greater awareness of our relationship with the environment: an understanding that all life forms are fundamentally interconnected within a vast, complex network of being. This theme brings together artists whose work embraces the natural world in its abundance, beauty, and complexity. Animals, plants, air and water are highlighted as part of our shared living history, foregrounding ways of coexisting that challenge the human-centric and invite us to imagine a new relationship with the planet.
This States of Nature strand is one of the British Art Show 10 themes designed by Ekow Eshun, the curator of that exhibition. You can read more about the strands, the artists and the tour here.
This residency opportunity is part of The Coventry Art Show which has been collaboratively organised by the Coventry Art Forum and is supported by an Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant.
Book Club
Taking an extract of a Timothy Morton text, this will be a relaxed and social reading evening/book club, with no reading in advance required. Participants will read the extracts together and then discuss them. We have quite often offered this kind of event as part of our Third Friday events – they are friendly, welcoming, low pressure and the discussion is always rich and thought-provoking.
Places are free, but limited – booking (see form below) essential. Refreshments will be provided.
Venue: The Nest
Date: Wed 18th November 6.30-8.30pm
Walkshop
A nature connection walking/wheeling workshop aimed at helping participants to re-place themselves within the urban ecosystem, rewild their thinking, and collectively generate some practically regenerative ‘notes to self’. Materials and refreshments provided.
Places are free, but limited – booking (see form below) essential.
Venue: meet at The Nest
Date: Sat 21st November 10am-1pm
States of Nature Artists’ Residency Sharing
Venue: The Nest
Date: Wed 9th/Thurs 10th December – details tbc
