Thomas J. Price has rapidly become one of the most important British contemporary artists of his generation, subverting stereotypical representations of figures we value in society and traditional power structures. Celebrated for his large-scale figurative sculptures, Price draws our attention to the psychological embodiment of his fictional characters, highlighting nuanced understandings of social signifiers and predetermined value. Amalgamated from multiple sources, the works are developed through a hybrid approach of traditional sculpting and intuitive digital technology. He encompasses historic constructs with a newness that at first glance can go unnoticed, but that live in the public realm as silent totems for change.
Dr Gus Casely-Hayford is the inaugural Director of V&A East. He is a curator and cultural historian who writes, lectures and broadcasts widely, having presented series for Sky, BBC radio and television, and other channels. Formerly Executive Director of Arts Strategy, Arts Council England (Britain’s major arts funder) and Ex-Director of the Institute of International Contemporary Art, he has offered leadership to both large and medium scale organizations including the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art. In 2005 he deployed his leadership, curatorial, fundraising, communications skills to organize the biggest celebration of Africa Britain has ever hosted when more than 150 organizations put on over 1,000 exhibitions and events.
