Explore the social impact of art through the life and work of artist-activist Barbara Steveni.
Modern Art Oxfordis delighted to present I Find Myself, the first retrospective exhibition of pioneering and influential artist-activist Barbara Steveni (1928-2020). Representing her pivotal role as an artist initiator, energetic organiser, negotiator and pioneer of social practice, it combines examples of her conversational and collaborative practice, early assemblage pieces and materials from the Artist Placement Group, alongside new commissions from Anne Bean, Eloise Hawser and Laure Prouvost. The exhibition runs from 1 March until 8 June 2025.
The exhibition brings together a broad body of Steveni’s work including previously unexhibited sculptural assemblages, found objects collected on industrial sites and along the Thames Path throughout her lifetime, slide lectures, sketchbooks, recorded interviews, video footage, collaborative pieces and restaged performances. These will be on display alongside elements of Steveni’s personal archive of photographs, writing and papers which formed the basis of her significant work I Am An Archive (2002-2015).
With a career spanning 70 years, Steveni was influential to many artists of different generations and the exhibition will feature the following new commissions:
- Anne Bean (b. 1950) will develop a new live work inspired by Steveni's important long term work I Am An Archive.
- Eloise Hawser (b. 1985) will develop a new sculptural installation based on research into Steveni's vast collection of newspapers amassed during the 1990s and 2000s.
- Taking inspiration from Steveni's found objects and assemblage works, Laure Prouvost (b.1978) will create a video installation reflecting on her personal experience of working closely with Steveni in the 2000s.
The exhibition is co-curated by Gareth Bell-Jones and Jo Melvin
Barbara Steveni: I Find Myself: 1 March - 8 June 2025
Modern Art Oxford, 30 Pembroke Street, Oxford, OX1 1BP
Admission: FREE
Further Information: Modern Art Oxford