THE ART world is obscure and elitist. Until recently vacuous formalist JUSLECHOR dominaled as the leading style promoted by a ruling class 'enlightened artists the 'freedom" to j their trivialities, writes PAUL RUSSELL..
few attempted to relate their work either ignored or were considered to have abused that given Treedom In the last year a dumber of artists and a group known as the 'social crities" (including Socialist Challenge supporter Peter Fullery have attacked the com places anorasna series of articles, debares, and exhibiOne of the critics. Richard CORES TON arranged an important exhibition of social ist artists at the Serpentine Gallery in London. Cork has still selected artists whose diversfied approach to creating soc:
ialist an shows unexpected possibilities.
Although assembled for display in a galiery space, each of the exhibited projects was who designed for outdoor, community, school or trade union purposes:
DOCUMENTARY Conrad Arkinson is exhibiting only nine moaths in the asberlos indusiry In scars ago, and has now died as a result of this pleasant lung discase Copies of his medical record, correspondence beiween widow and the company for an unsuccessful clatte for compenSECON company ments on thesafely of astestos. all are arranged as a case astory as co wan Suspended heights are plastic bags contain ing raw or finished ashestos products. In the context of the unfolding drama, these bags might he taken for the lurid evidence in a murder Irsal — as indeed they are.
Peter Leeson have heen conducting a DostcE ano video campaid so evidence save Bethnal Green and ocher hosnials from cosare using photomontage similar 1o Peter Challenge, crcate and adapt their posters in quick response to the shifting tactics of the authorities guerilla art which should he used morcollen.
The Islington Schools Envir Would these murals of construction workers be out of place in a company board room?
designs children to briphien different exciting play this in every school!
QUESTIONS Stephen residents from Perivale. volunteers seis of questions work in Socialist Dunn and Leeson authoritarian employee) (spouse lo spouse) onmental Project is displaying nood submitted by school walls, plus photos of the structures lies designed for their playgrounds. Get your children to agitate for David On a more intimate level, targe Willats organised an exercise in politeal conscious ness rassing among 50 or sc These answered weekly and added their comments - on patterns of social relationships, from (employer co-operative white-collar The exercise is complex, bur is evident success among The participants proves that ant patroning to be understood simplistic by a nom art public.
this SATIRICAL Finally, two examples of the increasingly popular mural art.
Binnington and Desmond Rochfort are showing sketches and models of tbeir power murals the Westway Myover at Royal Oak. Many of the murals now being done are guided by the local inhabitants and reflect concerts, but the Royal Oak murals portray anonymous work conditions.
Binningron has done a quasisatirical mural about office and WULT and Rochfort a skilfull eulogy to Rochfort's painting is socialist realist; hut representational painting is as capable of mis understanding reality abstract painting Rochfort's mural illustrates whole mural could bave been cointed in the boardroom Ca big construction company: the directors would then own an image illustrating the labour•commecht of their workers which they also Where to see it Art for whom? is at the Serpentine Gallery, Kensingion Park until 14 May, Open daily 10am Tom Admission free. y puge catalogue with statensents 21. There will be discussion with selector and exhibitors on Sunday 14 May al 4pm. Tel: 01-402 6075 Yet ar the same time as this