unlimited global alchemy

Tony Heaton and Rachel Gadsden

In conversation with Tony Heaton

Every day is different on the UGA project, from digital shenanigans on Monday, Tuesday included a meeting with Shape, British Council, London and South Africa Teams, and representatives of International Unlimited London 2012 commissions and an "in conversation" interview with Tony Heaton CEO of Shape, for our forthcoming UGA catalogue.

I was very thrilled when Tony Heaton was asked if he would be interested in playing a role within the UGA catalogue. I have personally known Tony since 2004, and respect him enormously as a fantastic sculptor and performance artist (http://www.tonyheaton.co.uk/), were he interweaves Disability issues into traditional and discarded materials, as a curator, and as a leader and friend for all the many artists who have emerged through the Disability Arts arena during the last 20 years.

Tony curated my "Beyond the Asylum" solo exhibition at Holton Lee in 2006, we were also collaborators for Architecture Inside Out, and have sat on panels together, and now that Tony is heading up Shape (www.shapearts.org.uk) and based in London, our paths cross regularly.

We spent an hour talking in conversation about where my artistic activity has emerged from during the last 10 years, my artistic interests, motivations and hopes for Unlimited Global Alchemy and beyond. Tony's grasp of contemporary art, issues relating to disability, and the role of artist as contempory commentator are second to none, and despite my initial slight nerves (brought on by the fact I knew the interview was being recorded and filmed, and that there was the possibility of me talking complete rubbish) Tony guided me through the most enjoyable, stimulating conversation.

I am conscious Tony's time is precious, and after our chat, he was rushing off to Parliament to meet Ed Vasey, the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Tony's really does play a significant role in both the main stream and disability art sectors, bridging gaps and making sure that cultural change does occur within our society, and I admire him very much indeed.

So thank you Tony for yesterday, I am so excited that your vision is also now part of the UGA commission.

Posted by , 07:03am 14/03/12