Collection Pan Arab Luxury Magazine
Related Articles
Modern Art Oxford will present an innovative retrospective titled “Barbara Steveni: I Find Myself,” running from March 1 to June 8, 2025.
This exhibition honors the groundbreaking artist-activist Barbara Steveni (1928–2020), whose creative inputs to conceptual and social art practices still influence the art world currently. For individuals attracted to art that questions norms and encourages discussion, this is an essential event.
Born in Iran and raised in Devon and India, Steveni’s career spanned over seven decades. Her journey began with formal painting studies at Chelsea Art School under luminaries like Henry Moore. Yet, her most influential work transcended traditional mediums, focusing instead on the intersection of art, industry, and society. Steveni’s revolutionary Artist Placement Group (APG), founded in 1965, positioned artists within industrial and governmental settings, redefining the boundaries of creative practice and influencing generations of conceptual artists.
This retrospective showcases her dynamic legacy through thematic displays. Visitors will encounter her early sculptural assemblages, archival materials, and collaborative projects. A highlight of the exhibition is “The Sculpture” (1971), a platform for live conversations emblematic of APG’s ethos. Complementing these works are new commissions by contemporary artists Anne Bean, Eloise Hawser, and Laure Prouvost, who each pay tribute to the visionary impact of Steveni with installations inspired by her archive and methods.
Steveni’s work remains deeply relevant, emphasizing the role of art in broader societal processes and the often-invisible labor of women in creative fields. Her practice, from site-specific walks along the Thames to the celebrated “I Am An Archive” series, invites reflection on how art can challenge norms and ignite change.
Supported by institutions like the Henry Moore Foundation and Arts Council England, this exhibition bridges past and present, highlighting the enduring influence of Steveni. For art enthusiasts and professionals alike, “I Find Myself” offers a profound exploration of how art can serve as both a mirror and a catalyst for society.
Mark your calendar to immerse yourself in Barbara Steveni’s transformative world at Modern Art Oxford, where her legacy continues to inspire and innovate.
CAPTIONS:
1. Portrait of Barbara Steveni, stoodwith her work Banner, 1993. Imagetaken at Between 1: Value, SouthLondon Gallery, 2007. Photo: JohnMallinson. Courtesy Estate ofBarbara Steveni.
2. Artist Placement Group, TheSculpture – Vacant State,exhibition view Between 6,Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, 1971.Courtesy Estate of BarbaraSteveni.
3. Barbara Steveni’s studio with collected objects. Anstey Road,Peckham, 1995. Courtesy Estateof Barbara Steveni.
4. Barbara Steveni portrait,undated, c.2000’s. CourtesyEstate of Barbara Steveni.
5. Barbara Steveni and Artist Placement Group contributing to the event ‘L’Engineering conceptuel’, part of the exhibition Un Certain Art Anglais at the Musée d’art moderne de la Ville de Paris, 20th January, 1979. Image copyright Rolf and Ros Sachsee. Courtesy Estate of Barbara Steveni.
6. Anne Bean, I’d Rather Go Blind, Modern Art Oxford, 2011. Photo by David Tolley
7. Eloise Hawser, Keep Out! SN.16 Jan., 2021-2022. One year of newspapers collected during 2020-2021 lockdown from: 03:2020 -03:2021. Photo by Gigi Giannella
8. Laure Prouvost, In The Mist Of ItAll, Above Front Tears, 2024,installation view, De Pont, Tilburg.Photo by Antoine van Kaam
