Yess Lad
Horace Lindezey’s ceramic plaques could easily be mistaken as Grayson Perry. Jennie Franklin’s pen drawings speak the same language being popularised by Robert Nava and Katherine Bernhardt. And quite frankly I’m shocked that Leslie Thompson has beaten everyone to the punch by turning himself into an action figure, something I expected Damien Hirst would have done by now. If this sounds like the most amazing booth at Frieze that you somehow managed to miss, don’t worry. You haven’t.
This showcase of works that seamlessly fit right in with the current contemporary art scene is a collaboration between TJ Boulting and Venture Arts, a Manchester charity that works with learning disabled and neurodiverse artists. It’s a fantastic step enabling a wider appreciation of artists that exist outside the traditional institutional systems. The exposure is more than justified.
The technical skills in this show are impressive. The eight artists range in age from 29-78 and have spent years, sometimes decades, developing their artistic identity and visual language. Each presents a distinct world view, which at times I found charming beyond belief — and in that I include Dominic Bennett’s terra cotta Weasel Army! Knowing these works were made without consideration towards commercial potential lends them an additional sense of purity. Although in this instance, everything is for sale with much of the proceeds going back to support the work of Venture Arts and the artists.
Many of the artists have known each other for years through their time at Venture Arts. This is the first time any of them have been shown in London, and with so much fantastic work so reasonably priced, I expect it won’t be the last.
At TJ Boulting (@TJBoulting) until 19 November.
Visit Venture Arts (@venturearts_) to find out more about the artists and the program that has been supporting them.