Artist John Singer Sargent’s unique approach to portraiture included a collaborative relationship with his sitters, creative direction, use of studio props and accessories, and daring sartorial choices.
Sargent’s practice provides the backdrop for this exploration of contemporary portraiture. Through a filmed studio visit with artist Shaqúelle Whyte and live in-conversation, chaired by art historian Alayo Akinkugbe (A Black History of Art), this event will consider topics such as: the relationship between artist and sitter; the theatricality of portraiture; and the dynamics of studio life.
This event is part of the Terra Foundation for American Art Series: New Perspectives and has been provided by Tate Gallery on behalf of Tate Enterprises Ltd.
Shaqúelle Whyte
Shaqúelle Whyte (b. 2000, Wolverhampton) lives and works in London. He received a BA in Fine Art from the Slade School of Fine Art and an MA from the Royal College of Art. Earlier this year, Whyte had his first solo exhibition, Yute, you're gonna be fine, with Pippy Houldsworth Gallery, London. Recent group exhibitions include Present Tense, Hauser & Wirth, Somerset (2024); Buffer, Guts Gallery, London (2022); Seasons in the City, curated by Artuner, Palazzo Capris, Turin (2022); and Showstopper, Saatchi Gallery, London (2022). Recent awards and residencies include the Herbert Seaborne Prize; the Black Sponsorship Scheme with Carl Kostyál Gallery; a residency at The Fores Project, London (2022); and the Denise Israel Scholarship, Rome Art Program (2021).
Alayo Akinkugbe
Alayo Akinkugbe is an independent writer and curator. She writes the column Black Gazes for AnOther Magazine, hosts the podcast A Shared Gaze, and runs the Instagram platform, A Black History of Art – which celebrates the contributions of Black artists, sitters, curators and thinkers from art history and the present day.
This event includes live captioning.
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