2021 Bow Open, selected by gal-dem, at Nunnery Gallery

Artist, curator and gal-dem founding member, Leyla Reynolds has selected 24 artists for Bow Arts’ annual Bow Open Show, all responding to her title Aboutface: regroup, reorganise, reimagine.

Following a year that has particularly challenged those in the cultural sector, gal-dem’s Bow Open demonstrates the power of artists and their imaginations to regroup following disaster, and reorganise with humour, frankness and inspiring visual potency. Works range from politically charged banners, a delicate spine of ceramic COVID masks and jewellery inspired by the Hindu Goddess Kali Ma, a beacon of hope and resistance to anti-colonial movements during the Bengal revolution. Powerfully commenting on many of the overarching political themes of the past year – gender identity, the environment, the pandemic, decolonisation, digital overload – the exhibition offers realism, satire, beauty and optimism.

Exhibition runs from the 8 October to 19 December.

A participatory events programme for all ages will run alongside, featuring creative workshops including porcelain and banner making, family days, after hours openings and a curator’s talk with Leyla Reynolds.