Thursday 8 March 2012

March 2012 - Lubaina Himid


The March SPA artist is Lubaina Himid - excellent!
We've launched Himid's edition today to coincide with International Women's Day.

Himid's work focuses on themes and issues surrounding cultural history and looks at the representations of the people of African diaspora and their cultural contribution to the contemporary landscape. Known for her paintings and prints she also makes work in response to museum collections - questioning their role in the discussion around cultural histories. 
Himid has exhibited internationally since the 1980's: ICA, London; Hayward Gallery, London; Transmission Gallery, Glasgow; V&A Museum, London; Peg Alston Gallery, New York; St Jorgens Museum, Bergen, Norway; and the Havana Biennial in Cuba. 
She also has works held in a number of public collections: The Tate Gallery;  the Victoria and Albert Museum, London;  Birmingham City Art Gallery and Bolton Art Gallery. 
Please visit her website for full details:


She is currently in  Cotton: Global Threads at the Whitworth Art Gallery in
Manchester until 13th May 2012


She is also currently in Migrations at Tate Britain until 12th August 2012 




And best of all Himid lives and works here in Preston - local and international at the same time - is that possible? We are thrilled she is the third Secret Preston Art artist!
All the cards are in the venues now (see below for list of venues) - so if you want a free artist card you'd better get along and grab one asap. 

Monday 5 March 2012

What's Theg


You may well ask "what's theg?"

Well, every 20 years there is a festival here in Preston called the Guild. Apparently the first one was in 1179 and it's been going ever since.

And 2012 is a Guild year - hooray!

We are knee deep here in Preston with bunting and flags celebrating a festival that only seems to celebrate past Guilds. Nobody is sure of its identity or relevance, but what the hell: lets get all the community groups of Preston to dress up and ride a float around town and in 20 years time we can reminisce and laugh at everyones outfits and funny hairstyles.

It's because of the Guild (and in spite of it) that the Secret Preston Art project was conceived. Each of the SPA team was born in a Guild year and within the sound of a Ribble Bus horn from the top of the bus station. Even with this strict criteria, there are 5 members in total (2 aged 20, 2 in their 40th year and one aged 60).

So, for each month during this historic year we are producing a free edition of 100 postcards.
It goes without saying that all the Mark Dion cards are now gone... but have no fear, the March edition has come back from the printers and is being stamped and packed as we speak. It should be ready and available in the different venues sometime during this week....