20/20: Futures symposium

The 20/20: Futures symposium will bring together artists, partners and supporters to both celebrate and reflect on the many outcomes of 20/20 – an ambitious 3-year programme that took place between 2021 and 2024. The symposium will feature artists’ presentations and critical discussions focused on learnings from 20/20 one year on, with opportunities to experience the 20/20: Futures exhibition.

Combining artist residencies with artistic commissioning at scale, 20/20 sought to catalyse artists’ careers and change in collections. Between 2022 and 2024, 20 emerging and mid-career artists identifying as black, brown, Asian, global majority and/or people of colour, took up residencies with 20 public art collections, leading to 20 new permanent acquisitions and a 20/20 print portfolio gifted to each collection partner.

The one-day symposium will feature artists’ presentations and critical discussion focused on the learnings from 20/20 a year after the end of the project, and a chance to view the 20/20: Futures exhibition, featuring work from all 20 artists’ residencies across London College of Fashion, UAL’s East Bank ground floor gallery, mezzanine and lower ground spaces.

We look forward to sharing reflections on the individual and institutional changes catalysed by the 20/20 programme, as well as exploring ongoing challenges and future opportunities for collaboration.

20/20 was developed and led by artist Susan Pui San Lok, (UAL Professor in Contemporary Art and Director, Decolonising Arts Institute) in response to urgent calls for action across the arts to address social inequalities and racial injustices. 20/20 was delivered by Martine Rouleau (20/20 Producer), Ramatoulie Bobb (20/20 Project Assistant), and generously supported with funding from Freelands Foundation, Arts Council England and UAL.

20/20: Futures is a public programme collaboratively developed by Decolonising Arts Institute with the LCF Cultural Programme and Research and Knoweldge Exchange teams: Lindsay Pentelow (Head of Cultural Programming), Luke Turk (Technical Production Manager), Leila Nassereldein (Cultural Producer), Mirren Kessling (Cultural Producer), Asha Hall-Jones (Research and Knowledge Exchange Coordinator), with Rebecca Gremmo (DeAI Associate Producer).

Visitor information

Address: London College of Fashion, 105 Carpenter’s Road, London, E20 2AR - how to find us. Watch this video on how to get to LCF from Stratford tube station on the stories highlights on Instagram. Stratford is widely connected, on both the Central and Elizabeth tube Lines as well as via overground train and bus services.

Credits

Image 1: Holly Graham, The Warp/The Weft/The Wake Exhibtion Launch, Courtesy of Manchester Art Gallery, Photographer: Ahmani Vidal

Image 2: Upper Gallery, Cartwright Hall, Sarah Maple 2024

Image 3: Gayle Chong Kwan, The Taotie 1st Annual Ritual, Photogrpaher: Cliff Armstrong

Image 4: Aqsa Arif, The Trophy Cupboard, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum