THE UNSEEN
Over 40 years ago, I began studying art, and over a decade ago, I started finding ways to use art in activist situations. Most recently I’ve been integrating art into housing campaigns; using it to reveal unseen realities so they can be discussed, particularly with communities dealing with the adverse affects of the capitalist system.
In teaching work mainly in a state comprehensive, I have become more aware of the use value of art work; how it can amplify voices and address social injustices. I collaborate with communities that are increasingly becoming marginalised to articulate their struggles through visual and participatory art. I have tried to move against currents in art that heavily use irony leading to a cynicism that nothing can be changed and if we do then we are just ‘using’ that injustice. Also of great interest is the way grotesque and surreal imagery can be used and the enjoyment of dream like narrative.
This site is an ongoing project so forgive any awkwardness, I have come to realise that the activity of art itself is a treasure chest that is encrusted in social class and we need to free it from this. We have to find our way of speaking and sharing. New and current events are posted under NEWS
Andrew Cooper Unseen 