'Making Sense of the Turner Prize': Margaret Sharrow's latest 'Exploring Art' talk

Image: Outside the Turner Prize exhibition, Tate Britain, London. Photo copyright Margaret Sharrow, 2010.

It's all over now, bar the shouting, and maybe you didn't even get to see it. The Turner Prize exhibition, Britain's most prestigious art award, is always controversial, but then it was designed that way. The work shown is praised and pilloried, met with puzzlement, indifference or incomprehension. So what's it all about?

Artist Margaret Sharrow will attempt to unravel a little of the workings of this annual event in 'Making Sense of the Turner Prize', the latest in her series of Exploring Art talks. The presentation will be illustrated with examples of work by all the previous Turner Prize winners, as well as the 2010 contenders. 

The talk will take place on Wednesday 12 January 2011 at Lampeter's Women's Workshop, at St James Hall, Cwmann. The day begins at 10am with relaxation and discussion, a shared lunch, followed by Margaret's talk. The charge of £2.50 includes lunch. All women aged 16 and over are welcome. 

Can't attend? Read Margaret Sharrow's reviews:

Turner Prize review

Dexter Dalwood talk review

View 'Footfall', a video response to Turner Prize 2010 winner Susan Philipsz's 'Lowlands Away'

2 January 2011

Margaret Sharrow explores contemporary art, 3 November

Lampeter artist Margaret Sharrow continues her popular series of illustrated talks with 'Exploring Contemporary Art' on Wednesday 3 November at 1:00 - 2:00 pm at the Lampeter Women's Workshop.

Following the success of her 'Looking at Art' talk in September, Margaret has agreed to return for another session.

'The last talk was a very quick tour of European art from 1300 to the early 1960's, looking at themes such as the drive towards perspective, the subtraction of various rules and expectations from painting, and the emergence of new forms including conceptual art and installation,' says Sharrow.

'"Exploring Contemporary Art" will pick up where I left off, and deal with a few of the main trends in contemporary art,’ she continues. ‘It's also a chance for me to share my enthusiasm for some of the artists and exhibitions I've enjoyed in the last couple of years, including a selection of work from 2010 degree shows.’

The talk will be followed by an informal discussion, and Margaret will also show some of her current work in progress.

The Lampeter Women's Workshop runs on Wednesdays during school term time at St James Hall, Cwmann, on the Carmarthen road. All women aged 16 and up are welcome. The day begins at 10:30 am with a gentle exercise class, group discussion and lunch at 12 noon, with a different activity each week beginning at 1:00 pm. The X40 bus stops at the hall on request. Cost of £2.50 includes lunch. For more information, see http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/lampeter/pages/womens_workshop.shtml.

The previous talk 'Looking at Art', 29 September

7 October 2010

Margaret Sharrow's talk, 'Looking at art' - or how did we get to contemporary art?

Baffled, amused, or enraged by what's in galleries today? On Wednesday 29 September artist Margaret Sharrow will be giving an illustrated talk and discussion called 'Looking at art' - a friendly way into enjoying contemporary art. The event will take place at the Lampeter Women's Workshop, 10-3 pm, St James' Hall, Cwmann, on the Carmarthen road just outside Lampeter. All women aged 16 and over warmly welcome. £2.50 includes shared lunch, and the talk and discussion begin after lunch.

'It's a chance to explore some of the trends in art that have led to exciting contemporary work such as installations, performance art, and what's on at degree shows around the country,' says Sharrow. 'What are artists trying to say, and why are comment cards at the Tate full of statements like, "I could do better!"? Sometimes there's a gap between artists and the public. I'd like to try and bridge it, and to share some of the art that I find exciting.' And for men who'd like to attend? 'I'm sure I'll be giving the talk again, and others like it, at mixed-gender venues in the near future!'

Contact Margaret for booking future talks

More on the Lampeter Women's Workshop

Posted 23 September 2010

The next talk, 'Exploring Contemporary Art', 3 November