On the first day of the Aesthetica Art Prize Exhibition, there is a unique opportunity to hear directly from a selection of shortlisted artists about their practice. At 12.30pm on Friday 26 May, artists Sara Morawetz, Judith Jones, Dylan Martinez and Adam Basanta will unite within the exhibition space to discuss new modes of art making against the backdrop of the group show.

A platform for innovation and originality, the Aesthetica Art Prize Exhibition invites audiences to engage with captivating projects from some of today’s leading artists, both established and emerging. From individual narratives to global concerns, the artworks comment on contemporary culture and explore themes such as globalisation, perceptions of space and alienation in the digital age.

As the boundaries between the public and the private begin to merge into blurred depictions of reality, contemporary art is the mechanism that enables us to respond to a renewed understanding of living. The 2017 presentation features the work of 16 shortlisted artists who hail from diverse locations including Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Japan, the USA and the UK.

The talk will fall against the backdrop of the other shortlisted works, creating a dialogue between techniques, styles and themes that reflect contemporary visual culture. The shortlist includes: Adam Niklewicz, Alinka Echeverría, breadedEscalope, Emmanuelle Moureaux, Jasmina Cibic, Julio Bittencourt, Lesley Hilling, Maryam Tafakory, Stanza, Stephen Johnston, Toby Dye and Webb-Ellis.

Utilising a range of media, the artists work within the categories of Photographic & Digital Art; Painting, Drawing & Mixed Media; Three Dimensional Design & Sculpture. and Video, Installation & Performance. Images of 84 longlisted pieces will be shown on monitors within the gallery – offering a unique chance for visitors to explore the breadth and diversity of work being produced across the world today.

The artists’ talk is the first in a series of discussions taking place within the exhibition, creating a place for the exchange of ideas, and offering unique insights into current trends. Other speakers include Griselda Goldsbrough, who leads a tour around the exhibition; Dr Cadence Kinsey, Lecturer in Recent & Contemporary Art at the University of York, who investigates art after the internet; and Jennifer Alexander, Curator of Art at York Art Gallery, who sheds light on exhibition practices and curating for the 21st century audience.

Future Now: The Aesthetica Art Prize Shortlist, starts 12:30, Friday 26 May, York Art Gallery. Standard admission charges apply to the talks programme.

To see the full talks programme, visit: www.aestheticamagazine.com/art-prize/exhibition-2017/#talks

Aesthetica Art Prize Exhibition, 26 May – 10 September, York Art Gallery, Exhibition Square, York YO1 7EW. For admission details, visit www.yorkartgallery.org.uk

Credits
1. Judith Jones, Rendezvous
2. Sara Morawetz, How the Stars Stand
3. Dylan Martinez, Untitled
4. Adam Basanta, Curtain White