30/10/15
Interview: Bob and Roberta Smith
Art Is Your Human Right: The Artistic Campaigns
of Bob and Roberta Smith
William Morris Gallery
16 October 2015 – 31 January 2016
Bob and Roberta Smith’s art has
long been of a political nature. In 2013, he hosted an Art Party conference in
Scarborough, seeking to advocate the benefits of the arts. In the UK’s recent general
election, he stood against Michael Gove. His text-based works, often referred
to as “slogan art”, comprise placards and banners, letters to MPs (in large, bright
lettering on boards rescued from skips) and golem-like structures. With
London’s mayoral elections approaching, Smith is once again pounding his drum.
This time, he is not taking the frontline, but sees his role as, first, encouraging
others to become involved and, second, heckling politicians to include the arts
in their manifestos.
Read the interview here