https://www.phf.org.uk/artist/alberta-whittle/
Alberta Whittle (born 1980) is an artist and researcher. Her practice is motivated by the desire to manifest self-compassion and collective care as key methods in battling anti-Blackness. She choreographs interactive installations, using film, sculpture and performance as site-specific artworks in public and private spaces. Whittle’s work is often made in response to current events with themes including xenophobia, the catastrophe of the weather and the global pandemic.
Whittle has exhibited in solo and group shows, including at Tate Britain (2021 – 2022); Fotografiska, New York (2022); Whitechapel Gallery (2022), Moderna Museet Malmo (2022), Kunsthall, Trondheim (2021 – 2022); Liverpool Biennale (2021); The British Art Show (2021-2022); Eastside Projects, Birmingham (2020); The Tyburn Gallery, London (2019); National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (2018); and the Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg (2017), amongst others. She is currently representing Scotland at the 59th Venice Art Biennale with her exhibition, deep dive (pause) uncoiling memory. This show explores Whittle’s experiences of being Black and Scottish, alongside themes of migration and colonialism.
She was awarded a Turner Bursary, the Frieze Artist Award and a Henry Moore Foundation Artist Award in 2020. Her Windrush commission, The axe forgets but the tree remembers, was shown at Greenwich Maritime Museum (2022). In partnership with the Commonwealth Games and Grand Union, her film commission Congregation premiered in St Philips Cathedral, followed by an exhibition at Grand Union Gallery (2022).
In 2023, her upcoming work will be featured at Scottish National Gallery (Edinburgh), Holburne Museum (Bath) and the Gwangju Biennale (Gwangju).
I have been aware of the tremendous work of the Paul Hamlyn foundation since I was a young artist and when I received the news that I was going to be a recipient I instantly burst into tears. The award signifies trust and confidence in my practice and its support will mean that I have greater resources to make my work with less fear and more ambition. I am truly thrilled to be among a new cohort of artists who are being supported to take more risks but also to play.Alberta Whittle
Acrylic, Florida Water, deconstructed, British army jacket on linen in wooden artist’s frame, 60 x 55 cm, 23 5/8 x 21 5/8 in. Courtesy of the artist, Nicola Vassell, New York and The Modern Institute/ Toby Webster Ltd., Glasgow.
Steel and various materials: stained glass, rope, bronze tongue, brass bell, goat horn, manilla’s, cowrie shells, glass beads & conch shells. Installation view ‘deep dive (pause) uncoiling memory’, Scotland + Venice, 59th Venice Biennale, 2022. Courtesy of the artist and The Modern Institute/ Toby Webster Ltd., Glasgow. Photo: Cristiano Corte.
Mixed media. Dimensions variable. Installation view How flexible can we make the mouth, Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee, 2019. Courtesy of the artist and The Modern Institute/ Toby Webster Ltd., Glasgow. Photo: Ruth Clark.
Single channel video, Duration: 43 minutes (extract 1m 58s). Co-commissioned and produced by Scotland + Venice and Forma for the 59th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. Courtesy of the artist and The Modern Institute/ Toby Webster Ltd., Glasgow.