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Firstsite

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I was Associate Curator, Public Programmes, at Firstsite in Colchester from 2008 - 2015. Firstsite has established a strong reputation for its ambitious exhibition and learning programme, bringing emerging artists as well as artists of international repute such as Anthea Hamilton, Steven Claydon and Agnes Denes to Colchester.

A street view showing a small yellow house, a utility pole, and an open, house-shaped frame made of white horizontal slats with colorful panels inside, next to a larger white and brick house.
46 Brooklands Gardens - a temporary sculpture for Jaywick in Essex, 2008 - 2009, Nathen Coley. Photo: Keith Hunter. Firstsite commission, curated by Jes Fernie.

I worked on a number of different Firstsite project strands: the public programme, commissions, publications and residencies. Working closely with the University of Essex I developed lecture programmes, placements and learning opportunities for students and staff. I organised and chaired a diverse range of events involving artists, cultural historians, local enthusiasts, academics, curators and architects including Johan Grimonprez, Florence Derieux, Barbara Stevini, Pablo Leon de la Barra, Mark Fisher, Simon Denny, Alexandra Domanovic, Louisa Buck and Bruce McLean.

A modern showroom features a tall wooden crate with a wrapped humanoid figure on the left, and two black Mercedes-Benz cars on the right.
Simon Denny, The Personal Effects of Kim Dotcom. Installation, Firstsite, 2014. Photo: Andy Keate.


Related

An open house-shaped structure made of colorful horizontal slats and dark beams.
46 Brooklands Gardens,
A long outdoor pavilion with a wooden roof, metal columns, and a large wooden picnic table with benches on a concrete floor.
Råängen, –