The Poly-Technic
2006 – 2018
Between 2008 and 2018 Sheffield based artist and academic Steve Pool and I collaborated as The Poly-Technic using this maxim as our guide: With people in places, doing things.
The work built on a history of artists working with communities, where opportunities created, enabled us and others to come together to make, talk and think.
The Poly was born out of stepping back and asking ourselves what can we do that’s worth doing or rather – What can art do, that’s worth doing? In response we decided to ask tough questions, critically think and open up ‘active’ spaces. Over the 10 years we developed and delivered discussion groups, artist development schemes, curated programs, radical print workshops, commissions, exhibition and international residencies.
Recent work includes:
Never-Land. 2019. Yorkshire Artspace Sheffield and Ca’Foscari Venice.
Ruskin in Europe conference. 2019. Ca’Foscari University. Venice
The best thing in Life aren’t things. PECT. Peterborough. 2018
We are not an Island. 2017–18. Sheffield and Venice.
Corridor 8 Article by curator Simon Boase
Planet B Festival. PECT and METAL. Peterborough. 2017
British Art Show. Leeds. 2016
Utopia: Festival of the Mind. Sheffield. 2016
Taking the Lead – research through action. 2015–17
The Business of Life. 2012–14
Artist Residency. Wakefield. 2013
Force of Nature. Museum Sheffield. 2013
Made for You. Yorkshire Artspace. 2012
Artists Arts and Artefacts. Leeds 2007–09
