Interview with The Sussex Contemporary
Ahead of announcing the winner of The Artelium Artefact Prize in collaboration with The Sussex Contemporary, we sat down with founders Jo Myles and Jason Edge to talk artist communities, why they picked ‘duality’ for this year's theme, and The Artelium Artefact Prize.
Why did you decide to create The Sussex Contemporary?
The Sussex Contemporary was created because Jo observed a gap and an unmet need in the existing UK arts scene. After managing several large open call arts projects within the charity sector, she knew there must be a better way of working with creatives, through forming communities and offering support to help them along within the industry, rather than the more linier transactions approach of most open calls out there.
The Sussex Contemporary Exhibition 2023 at the i360
Beyond the yearly open call exhibition, The Sussex Contemporary helps both established and emerging artists navigate the art world. Can you tell us a little bit more about the other aspects of the business – the business of art workshops, for instance?
We started with our major annual open call exhibition, which will always be part of our programme of events and something that we are extremely passionate about and proud of. Since our official launch in 2022, we have gone on to add in showcase venues within ArtWave and Artists Open Houses here in Sussex. Jo has worked with various venues on setting up and establishing makers markets, and we now have a home in Newhaven at the Marine Workshops for the next 18 months in partnership with Creative Newhaven. We are programming a series of exciting pop-up discipline and theme specific one day fairs and markets.
The Business of Art is a growing programme of talks and workshops that creatives can pick up and attend both in-person and online. The programme is based on Jo’s award-winning business acumen, creative sector experience, and her hearing and seeing the gaps in practical business advice within the artists and makers sector. A recent appointment to the Industry Advisory Board at the University of Brighton finds her skill sharing there, along with her starting to lobby for arts education to include elements of the programme at degree level.
Why did you decide on ‘Duality’ as the theme for this year’s open call?
We both contribute to the theme selection, coming up with a shortlist each and seeing if there is any natural synergy; Duality was a clear winner as we both had it top of each of our lists! The theme itself is broad enough to allow true creative expression within works and is a theme that has been discussed and referenced throughout art history.
Can you give us three words which summarise your impressions of the entries for this year’s open call?
Biformity – Honest – Faithfull
Artelium's most recent Artefact collaboration (Artefact #7,8 & 9) with The Baron Gilvan.
Why did you want to approach Artelium to create a prize?
We both love Artelium’s approach: pairing wine and art. The consistent support they have shown toward Sussex artists and the regional arts industry is making waves and becoming a place of note. Jo spent a year in the Streat vineyard in 2021 observing a row of vines so feels incredibly connected to the land, and whilst Jo was out in all weathers Jason was starting to map out the Sussex Contemporary website in the tasting room! As the company grew, it became clear that there is a shared passion: making Artelium ideal prize partners.
What do you think is the most exciting benefit for the winner of The Artelium Artefact Prize?
The Artelium prize is an incredible opportunity for an artist to develop a portfolio of paid work with a professional and recognised brand of excellence. Julie & Mark have a clear vision of what they want to represent, and the selected artist will absolutely benefit from this profile-raising prize.
The Sussex Contemporary Exhibition is free to view and takes place at the Marine Workshops in Newhaven and runs from the 12th – 27th October.
Artelium is excited to collaborate on this award with The Sussex Contemporary, an organisation that selects, celebrates, and promotes contemporary artistic excellence. We are delighted to have a long-term partnership with The Sussex Contemporary, meaning that The Artelium Artefact prize will be awarded to an exhibitor of The Sussex Contemporary exhibition for the next three years.
