Drawing a Blank is the exhibition creating space for emerging artists

The London-based group exhibition Drawing a Blank is back with a new line-up of global artists, image-makers, and musicians. Conceived with the intention of elevating up-and-coming artists who might otherwise struggle to find a space in the art world, the multidisciplinary show was established by curator Ben Broome back in 2016. “I’m trying to create a platform from which everyone comes up together. It doesn't matter if you’re established or you’re emerging, everyone is seen as an equal,” explained Broome, speaking to Dazed over the phone. “The impetus for starting it came purely from a desire to work with my friends, and to give us all an excuse to come together and present our work in a setting that was within our control that was for our peers.”

While previous editions of Drawing A Blank have been located in unorthodox spaces – requisitioning shopfronts, car parks, and warehouses, and filling them with art – this year, the sixth iteration of the exhibition has found a home in a more traditional gallery space. Broome tells us: “This is the first Drawing a Blank that’s taken place in a white wall space… white walls, bright lights, and polished concrete floors, which is very much a change in direction.”

There’s no overarching theme for this year’s show but, if anything, it’s led by the curator’s “desire to democratise those white boxes” – the sanctioned realms of the art establishment. “I had become known for showing in pseudo-unconventional spaces, so to have the opportunity to switch that up and to do something unexpected – also give the artists I work with an opportunity to show in a different style of space – that’s what informs the aesthetic and the idea behind this particular exhibition,” he says. “I’m interested in the notion of creating access within those stale white box spaces and breaking down barriers to entry that prevent myself, my peers, young artists, from feeling as though those kinds of spaces are their own.”

This year’s show features work by Tucker Vander Wyden, Sara Sadik, Rhea Dillon, Pol Taburet, Pablo Jomaron
, Leon Xu, Jesus Hilario Reyes, Ines Di Folco, Gala Prudent
, Ebun Sodipo, Daniel Mebarek, Christelle Oyiri, Aspen Kincaid, Alonso Leon Velarde. Alongside a rare screening of Process, Kahlil Joseph’s Sampha documentary, you can also expect performances from musicians Obongjayar
, Crystal Mess
, Christophe Chassol
, and Lewis Ofman. Take a look through the gallery above for a glimpse of some of the work on display. 

Drawing A Blank is running from February 18-28 2022 at 14 Wharf Road, London, N1 7RW