The School of Arts is delighted announce that two Fine Arts students, Hannah Hornby and Simone Marconi, have been awarded places in the British Council’s Fellowship Scheme at the 2024 Venice Biennale.
“We were delighted to review an extremely strong set of applications. Successful candidates Hannah and Simone both pitched innovative research proposals, demonstrated an exciting commitment to collaboration, and a real sensitivity to the context of the Biennale and John Akomfrah’s work. We wish them all the best as they prepare to take the spirit of UWE Fine Art to this major international art world event. We have every confidence that they’ll be great ambassadors for the University.” Mike Ricketts – Associate Director, Fine Art.
Left: Simone Marconi; Right: Hannah Hornby
This is the third time that UWE Bristol’s School of Arts has partnered with the British Council to send two students to spend a month representing the UK at the British Pavilion which this year will being exhibiting the work of UWE Honorary Graduate, Sir John Akomfrah.
“I am excited about the prospect of living and working in Venice, as it will give me the opportunity to create networks and gain insight into how art institutions operate. Having the opportunity to create work dedicated to a specific brief, space, and time, in addition to receiving financial and mentoring support, will allow me to develop and expand a project that would otherwise remain stagnant due to the lack of adequate support.” Simone Marconi
John Akomfrah, On Memesis: African Soldier, Imperial War Museum
To prepare for a month in Venice, the Fellows participate in a seven-week online induction programme focused on forging and deepening intercultural connections with one another. Through storytelling, deep listening exercises, and honest exploration into creative and collaborative processes, the Fellows nurture their skills (including empathy, intercultural fluency, and teamwork). They are also trained for their role invigilating in the British Pavilion and consider different ways to create welcoming art spaces and greet people who may not speak their language and have vastly different levels of art expertise.
In small groups and with industry experts serving as mentors, the Fellows encourage one another to share the seeds of creative and scholarly projects, which they will develop further while in Venice. They will also meet with the artist for this year’s British Pavilion Commission, John Akomfrah RA, and the Curator of this year’s British Pavilion Commission, Tarini Malik, to delve into the core themes of the exhibition and the many ways the viewers might respond.
“As I graduate and begin to think about balancing a career between my art practice and interest in curation, this opportunity will allow me to explore both within a new community of artists and a city full of culture, history and narrative. I look forward to observing the city and its relationship between the people, the land and the water to produce a collaborative publication rich in poetry and context. I am excited to learn much about the management of the Biennale, whilst representing the British Council. As well as the negotiation between the artwork and the space, and seeing how the poignant work of John Akomfrah encompasses the pavilion.” Hannah Hornby, Venice Fellow 2024
On their return home from Venice, the Fellows co-design showcasing events to share their experiences and their projects, and continue to co-create and convene beyond the Fellowship.
