ActionSpace: Nnena Kalu

Talk Art continues!!! We meet ActionSpace's Sheryll Catto and Charlotte Hollinshead to discuss the inspiring art of Nnena Kalu!

Nnena Kalu (b.1966) is a prolific artist working from ActionSpace’s supported studio within Studio Voltaire since 1999. Over two decades Kalu has created a vast body of sculptural and 2D artworks and developed a live, performative element to her art practice. She is driven by an instinctive urge to build repeated marks and forms, creating intensely layered, visually impactful artworks with dense colours and compacted, flowing lines.

ActionSpace is London’s leading development agency for artists with learning disabilities. Established in the 1960s, ActionSpace advocates for diversity within the contemporary visual arts sector by supporting artists with learning disabilities to develop their artistic practice, sell and exhibit work, amongst other creative projects.

Nnena's drawings and sculptures are currently on view in Margate at Carl Freedman Gallery until 3rd April 2022. The exhibition is titled TO ALL THE KINGS WHO HAVE NO CROWNS curated by Jennifer Gilbert (previous Talk Art guest!) of the Jennifer Lauren Gallery. Free entry! A group show curated by @J_LGallery.

Sheryll Catto joined ActionSpace as Co-Director in 2008, having worked in the creative sector for over 25 years. She has a personal and professional interest in supporting the development of creative practices and was attracted to ActionSpace because of our commitment to providing people with learning disabilities with the same opportunities as their peers in the contemporary visual arts sector.

Charlotte Hollinshead has led the ActionSpace South London Studio at Studio Voltaire for over 21 years. She supports artists with complex disabilities to develop their individual arts practice and delivers an extensive range of commissions, projects, events and exhibitions including Nnena Kalu’s solo exhibition for Studio Voltaire elsewhere in 2020. Charlotte manages ActionSpace’s innovative participatory programme, including TUBELINES at Tate Exchange where ActionSpace artists created ambitious, interactive installations, artworks and live art happenings that invited participants to create alongside them and share their creative processes. Charlotte also has her own inclusive participatory practice Wild City, developing interactive sculptural works and installations for outdoor public events.

Follow @ActionSpace on Instagram! Learn more about ActionSpace at their official website: https://ActionSpace.org/

See Nnena's drawings and sculptures in Margate at Carl Freedman Gallery until 3rd April 2022. Follow @CarlFreedmanGallery for more details.

Learn more about Nnena Kalu's work at these websites: https://actionspace.org/artists/nnena-kalu/ and https://www.studiovoltaire.org/whats-on/nnena-kalu-2/

THANKS FOR LISTENING!!!! We love ActionSpace, thanks to their team for this wonderful episode. Special thanks to Jennifer Gilbert.

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