We're thrilled to introduce Polly Wright, who has joined us as the Coordinator of the Incidental Unit, a new group formed in 2016 with direct support of the Artist Placement Group (APG - 1966-89), and O+I (1989-2009), in order to continue to develop a rigorous approach to socially engaged art practice today.
Polly's immediate focus will be facilitating the Incidental Futures programme in collaboration with the rest of the Incidental Unit. In 2018-19 the IU is working towards six public meetings at Eastside Projects, Birmingham; Spike Island, Bristol; Summerhall, Edinburgh; Bluecoat, Liverpool; The Whitworth, Manchester; and Baltic 39, Newcastle; followed by a large-scale launch event at the South London Gallery, Peckham. We're delighted this project will benefit from Polly's expertise and enthusiasm.
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Photograph: Catarina Rodrigues
Polly Wright develops projects independently as a curator and is the Engagement Manager at Film and Video Umbrella. After graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2013, with a BA in Criticism, Curation and Communication, Polly worked at Art on the Underground for 3 years as their Programme Coordinator. Currently studying an MA in Art Practice at the Dutch Art Institute, Polly is researching the politics, linguistics and infrastructure of socially engaged practice from 1965 to today, thinking these topics through practice and theory.
Installation shot of the Industrial Board Room from Art and Economics, an APG exhibition held at the Hayward Gallery, London in 1971-2. © APG/Tate Archive.
The Incidental Unit (IU) was formed in 2016 with direct support of the Artist Placement Group (APG - 1966-89), and O+I (1989-2009), in order to continue to develop a rigorous approach to socially engaged art practice today. IU provides critical support space in which to discuss and exchange ideas with artists, curators and 'incidental persons' without the expectations or evaluative frameworks of an artistic commission, gallery briefing or social project. To this end, IU draws out key ideas, methods, process and rationale for maintaining the independent and critical work of artists and curators, connecting the historical legacy of APG with the complex nature of social practice now.
In 2018-19 the IU is working towards six public meetings at institutions in Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle followed by a large-scale launch event in London.
