2021: A Review
With 2021 wrapping up it’s a good time to reflect and recap. And what a year we had:
We went fully global, with contributions from China, the Philippines, Germany, France, the UK, Canada, and the US.
We thought, read, talked, heard, and wrote about the digitisation of art (accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic), and its challenges and chances.
We had a bi-continental graduate spotlight summer.
We celebrated anniversaries (3 years since the inaugural show, and 1 year of She Performs Global).
What better way to look back than to interview our 3 founding members and hear about their biggest takeaways and visions for the future: Co-Founders and Curators Lynn Seraina Battaglia, and Holly Daizy Broughton, and Curator of Interpretation Nicola Waterman.
Caroline Bernadette Blockus: Thank you for taking the time and doing this virtual “shared doc” interview! It’s fun to reverse the roles and put you in the position of answering questions.
Starting off with a classic: Describe your 2021 with SP in 5 Hashtags
LSB:
#digital
#restless
#exciting
#international
#supporting
HDB:
#adapting
#expanding
#celebratory
#women
#uplifting
NW:
#busy
#challenging
#happy
#collaborative
#global
CBB: Favourite articles this year?
LSB: Hein Koh
I love the interview our then NYC-correspondent, now editor-in-chief Caroline Blockus had with Hein Koh. It was fascinating to read about how Hein‘s practice has changed from sculptural to painting during the pandemic. I had only known her sculptures in person before and some time after the interview I got to see a new painting of hers at Art Basel.
This was our Manila correspondent, Camille Ignacio’s first piece for She Performs, and she knocked it out of the park! Loved Pam Quinto’s Parcel Exhibition concept, loved the execution, and loved Camille’s curating of her very own ‘Fiat Lux’ exhibition.
‘portable collage maker’ Miguel Puyat
CBB: What are you leaving behind in 2021 what are you taking with you into 2022?
LSB: The stress of thinking that we have to do everything at once - our full time jobs and running She Performs. In 2022 I want to focus on publishing really great content rather than publishing as often as we can.
HDB: Let’s leave behind the lack of physical connection, whilst remembering to take the new found ways of connecting digitally into the new year.
NW: (hopefully!) leaving behind the restrictions that have made in-person events unfeasible, and realising our plans to re-launch She Performs’ programme of events, including She Hears.
CBB: Your predictions: Who should we be on the lookout for?
LSB: Sola Olulode. An amazing London-based British-Nigerian painter, exploring experiences of Black British Womxn and Non-Binary Folx.
HDB: Keep watching Shannon Bono, Marcela Florido, Minyoung Choi, and of course our wonderful Jocelyn McGregor - who is currently working on the Sculpture in the City Aldgate Square commission!
NW: Not a who, but a what: innovative new ways to reach audiences. Necessity is the mother of invention, but on the positive side, crisis often accelerates much-needed change.
Thanks to all of you for your continued work, dedication, and passion. None of that would be happening if it wasn’t for you
Lynn Seraina Battaglia Holly Daizy Broughton, and Nicola Waterman (from left to right). London 2018
