Dead Thing, I Think I Love You, Eugene Wood, 2008
We last caught up with Sumarria Lunn back in May to talk about their exhibition In A Word. Since then they have been super busy, not least with an exhibition they are organising to help raise money for victims of torture. The impressive line-up of artists involved includes Peter Blake, Paula Rego, Cornelia Parker and Sarah Lucas, not to mention many up-and-coming art stars. All the works will be sold at auction with prices starting from just £200, so this a great chance to support a good cause and grab yourself some amazing art at an affordable price. Dazed caught up with Will Lunn to find out more...
Dazed Digital: What has been happening in the world of Sumarria Lunn since we last spoke to you?
Will Lunn: We have organised and curated three exhibitions since then. In July and September we exhibited Natural Recurrence Parts I and II featuring Akiko Ban and Yun-Kyung Jeong, and our most recent exhibition was a solo show of work by Sungeel Yun in the crypt of St Martin In The Fields Church in Trafalgar Square. We have just been asked to exhibit at the London Art Fair (January, 2010) in the curated Art Projects section.
DD: How did the auction come about?
WL: The Medical Foundation For The Care of Victims of Torture came to us with the project. The charity was keen to have a curated exhibition and collection for the auction. We are very grateful to all the artists who have donated work for such a great cause and to Sotheby’s for their support. It is great to be doing a project that has such a diverse collection of artists.
DD: What are your favourite pieces in the exhibition?
WL: While we have some fantastic works by notable figures on the modern and contemporary art scene we are equally excited by some of the donations we have from emerging artists, in particular those by Hilary Ellis, Tim Phillips and Eugene Wood. David Wightman, Ross Jones, Yun Kyung Jeong and Claire Burbridge have also donated incredible works.
DD: And there are works by the victims of torture as well?
WL: We will be involving the charity’s clients (as the victims of torture are known) where possible. A number of them take part in art therapy during the course of their rehabilitation and treatment. They will be exhibiting alongside the other artists and will also be involved in the curation process. We are due to meet the clients shortly.
DD: What else do you have coming up in the future?
WL: David Wightman, one of the first artists we worked with and now represent, will be exhibiting in Manchester at Cornerhouse, commonly known as the ICA of the North. Similarly Claire Burbridge, another one of our artists, has been selected for the next East Wing Exhibition at the Courtauld. It is fantastic to have two artists involved in such interesting public exhibitions.
Exhibition Runs at John McAslan + Partners, November 5 – 17 then continues at The Royal Institution of Great Britain, 21 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, W1S 4BS / November 19 – 20
