Frieze x Deutsche Bank
Emerging Curators Fellowship
in partnership with the Whitworth and artist Ibrahim Mahama
• The UK-wide initiative supports Black and POC emerging curators
• The fourth fellowship is in partnership with the Whitworth, The University of Manchester
• Alongside support from Frieze and Deutsche Bank, funds will be raised with the sale of a unique work by artist Ibrahim Mahama, as well as a special edition at Frieze London 2022
• Recruitment for the fellow will begin in Autumn 2023
Deutsche Bank and Frieze announce the return of the Emerging Curators Fellowship, a national initiative supporting emerging Black and POC curators. This year realized in partnership with the Whitworth, the initiative brings together artists and organizations across the non-profit and private sectors to increase accessibility, representation, and social mobility within the arts as well as create an opportunity to grow and deepen curatorial practice in some of the UK’s leading public art institutions. The fourth iteration of the initiative follows successful fellowships in institutions including V&A East, Chisenhale Gallery, and BALTIC.
The 2023 fellow will work with the Whitworth, an established institution committed to decolonizing art and its spaces through practices of care, accessibility, representation and social mobility. The fellow will join the Collections and Exhibitions team and will work on the gallery’s programme reflecting the University’s bicentenary as a core piece of their work late 2023 to mid 2025. They will also have the opportunity to receive funding to carry out a piece of practice-based research as part of the Fellowship. The Fellow will have access to mentoring sessions with the members of the Frieze team and Deutsche Bank Art and will undergo practical training, one-to-one mentoring as well as continuous professional development in the role.
Alongside Deutsche Bank and Frieze funding, the fellowship programme will be supported by proceeds from the sale of a unique work and an artist-led edition by renowned Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama. Twice as tall (2022) is a new work that employs Mahama’s characteristic jute sacks, originally utilised for transporting cocoa beans, layered together with smock fabric and adorned with metal tags, which originally served to economically authenticate the beans. The tactile surface of the work bears traces of the materials’ former use, with marks of domestic daily life prompting ideas of commodity, migration, globalization, and economic exchange. Mahama will also create On a spaceship (2022) sold as an edition of 30 and priced at £800 + VAT each which will be available for purchase online at Frieze.com and at Frieze Week locations, with 100% of sales proceeds benefiting the fellowship.
To mark the fourth anniversary of the launch, the work of fellows Amina Jama and Kinnari Saraya will be shown at Frieze London.
Recruitment for the fellow will begin in Autumn 2023
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Image: Ibrahim Mahama, Artwork © the artist. Courtesy @whitecube
