Shape Open 2019 at Nunnery Gallery

The Shape Open 2019 exhibition explores the theme ‘In Circles’ in the context of disability. Disabled and non-disabled artists were invited to submit work for Shape Arts’ seventh annual Open exhibition that ignites debate and discussion on disability from a wide range of viewpoints.

The barriers that disabled artists face within the art world can be substantial, and the frustration that artists feel is exacerbated by a lack of access to and into the arts. Success within the sector is often reliant on being present and visible, not only excluding disabled artists’ from arts’ institutional structures but also from critical debate and conversations.

This year’s exhibition theme ‘In Circles’ questions whether progress for disabled artists is being and can be made within the arts, if our work is counterproductive and a circular argument, or if we can shift institutional thinking. 

The exhibition showcases work across a wide range of art forms from artists around the world. 

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The 2019 Shape Open exhibiting artists are: 

Tony Allen, Richard Amm, Faith Bebbington, Lizz Brady, Claire Callow, Sam Castell-Ward, Annie Ho Cooper, Daisy Cowley, Nikki Davidson-Bowman, Catriona Faulkner, Alice Rose Floyd, CL Gamble, Laura Graham, Michael Gurhy, Steven Hardy, Jack Haslam, Liam Hassan-Beserekumo, Tzipporah Johnston, Elora Kadir, Nihan Karim, Glynis Lamond, Carrie Mason, Campbell Mcconnell, Andrew McPhail, Jenny Meehan, Bella Milroy, Aidan Moesby, Steve Musk, Elfrida Osbert, Alice Partington, Beau Rouse, Amna Sharif, Anne Smith, Mark Tamer, Andrea Vicentini, Aminder Virdee, Ophir Yaron, and Chan Chung Yuen.

A winning artist, selected by a small panel including Shape Open Patron, Yinka Shonibare CBE, will be awarded £1,000 at the Private View; a second artist will receive the People’s Choice Award of £250, as voted for by visitors of the exhibition throughout its duration. The People’s Choice Award is kindly supported by Crucial Colour Ltd, part of L&S Printing Co Ltd in Worthing, West Sussex.

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There will be a Private View on Thursday 5th September from 6.30 – 8.30pm, which is open to the public. This event will be BSL interpreted.

Access information for Nunnery Gallery can be found here

We particularly welcome your feedback on how we might be more inclusive to you. If you have any specific access requirements please contact Sara Dziadik or call 02074247330.

Travel Information

Opening hours: Tues-Sun, 10am to 5pm
Address: Nunnery Gallery, 181 Bow Road, London, E3 2SJ
Nearest station(s): Bow Road (District and Hammersmith and City lines) is a 6-minute walk away, and Bow Church (DLR) is a 3-minute walk away.
Bus: 205, 25, 425, A8, D8, 108, 276, 488 and 8 all service the surrounding area.

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Lead Image: ‘Adidn't know any disabled artists’ by Bella Milroy, courtesy of the artist