Book now£15 (includes exhibition entry)
Saturday 6 July, 14.00-17.30
Zilkha Auditorium
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 11am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 11am–6pm |
| Thursday | 11am–9pm |
| Friday | 11am–6pm |
| Saturday | 11am–6pm |
| Sunday | 11am–6pm |
The Whitechapel Gallery is committed to making all of our events as accessible as possible for every audience member. Please contact access@whitechapelgallery.org if you would like to discuss a particular request and we will gladly discuss with you the best way to accommodate it.
– Information about access on site at the gallery is available here https://www.whitechapelgallery.org/visit/access/
– This includes information about Lift access; Borrowing wheelchairs & seating; Assistance Animals; Parking; Toilets and baby care facilities; Blind & Partially Sighted Visitors; Subtitles and transcripts; British Sign Language (BSL) and hearing induction loops; Deaf Messaging Service (DMS).
Transport
– To the best of our knowledge, there are no planned disruptions to local transport on the date of the event.
– Our nearest train station – Aldgate East Underground (1 min) is not wheelchair accessible. The closest wheelchair accessible stations are Whitechapel (15 min), Shoreditch High Street (15 min) or Liverpool Street (15 min).
– Free parking for Blue Badge holders is available at the top of Osborn Street in the pay and display booths for an unlimited period. Spaces are available on a first come, first served basis.
What is the role of art in liberation movements? What happens to culture in the wake of conflict?
This special day of discussions considers how artists have played a role in resisting political oppression around the world, what cultural forms follow historic moments of political change, and how international artistic solidarities continue to shape liberation movements. Join artists, writers, curators and activists as they explore these key issues together.
The programme is inspired by our current exhibition Gavin Jantjes: To Be Free! A Retrospective (1970–2023), which features portrayals of a global Black struggle for freedom as well as work drawing on the artist’s personal experience of and resistance to apartheid in South Africa.
Ticket Information
Tickets to this event include free entry to the Gavin Jantjes exhibition throughout the day.
14.00 Introduction by Gilane Tawadros (Director, Whitechapel Gallery)
14.10-15.40 Panel 1: Art and Political Freedom: Towards Justice
The politically concerned artist feels impelled to do more than just march with fellow demonstrators. There is a need to distinguish an artistic response from the greater public outcry. – Gavin Jantjes
This panel explores the relationship between art making and political action. Can art create change beyond raising awareness? What is the function of art in political movements?
Featuring artists Larissa Sansour, Peter Kennard, artist and writer Morgan Quaintance, chaired by filmmaker and writer Juliet Jacques.
16.00-17.30 Panel 2: Acts of Solidarity: Art and Global Justice Movements
The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free. – Maya Angelou
This final panel considers forms of international artistic solidarity developed in response to oppression and violence. How might art generate a sense of political unity or purpose? What models of collective action are artists developing in the present day? What can art offer in the face of enduring and rising fascism?
Featuring artists Gavin Jantjes and Rehana Zaman, activist and curator Ashish Ghadiali, with more to be announced.
