Life Is More Important Than Art

This exhibition explores the intersection of art and everyday life and the role of the contemporary art institution at a time of uncertainty and change.

The title takes inspiration from African-American writer and novelist James Baldwin, who proposed that life is more important than art … that is why art is important. At a time when the cost of living crisis is causing severe financial hardship and the after-effects of the pandemic are still being felt, we consider the role of art and the art institution in everyday life. What importance can we attach to art alongside more pressing concerns?

Artists: Rana Begum, William Cobbing, Sarah Dobai, Susan Hiller, Matthew Krishanu, Jerome, Janette Parris, John Smith, Alia Syed, Mitra Tabrizian, Mark Wallinger and Osman Yousefzada.

★★★★ “It’s because we value life that art is so crucial..[this is] a show about the movement of people, about memory, personal and collective, and about human vulnerability… it’s inexplicably excellent” – Evening Standard 

★★★★ ‘This show reveals that art is a particular way of looking at life‘ – The Guardian
★★★★ ‘the best new (free!) exhibition that reflects what it means to be young in an age of crisis’ – The Strand