Identity and (Not) Belonging: Art and the Politics of British-ness in 1980s Britain

Imogen Racz

Identity and (Not) Belonging: Art and the Politics of British-ness in 1980s Britain

Imogen Racz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

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Abstract

Taking the ground breaking exhibition at the Whitechapel Art Gallery ‘From Two Worlds’ (1986) as the starting point, this chapter considers the underlying threads of institutional non-acceptance of art by British artists from non-European backgrounds. Including artists such as Rasheed Araeen and Veronica Ryan, the curators Nicholas Serota and Gavin Jantjes sought to ‘avoid clichés’ and ‘boundaries’ set by categories. As well as a substantial catalogue, the touring exhibition received much press coverage. The work displayed was diverse, and reflected the concerns of the artists, each of whom sought to find expression for their own histories through different means. This exhibition was part of a number of small steps of change that happened during the decade. These will be considered, as will the art and ideas of the time of Lubaina Himid, Araeen and Ryan, against the institutional politics of British-ness during the 1980s.

Keywords: British non-European Art. Belonging and Identity. 1980s. British art institutions. Rasheed Araeen. Veronica Ryan.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Art, Borders and Belonging
Subtitle of host publication	On Home and Migration
Editors	Marsha Meskimmon, Maria Phitiou
Place of Publication	London
Publisher	Bloomsbury Academic
Chapter	5
Pages	91-112
Number of pages	22
ISBN (Electronic)	9781350203075
ISBN (Print)	978-1350203068
Publication status	Published - 20 May 2021

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Copyright © and Moral Rights are retained by the author(s) and/ or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This item cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.

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Identity and (Not) Belonging: Art and the Politics of British-ness in 1980s Britain

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