Teasing Out Contingencies

As British society becomes increasingly polarized we invite you to take part in the making of a series of performances with artist Quilla Constance (QC), which seek to cross borders, confront stereotyping and challenge gender, race and class inequalities.

With a focus on collaboration, dialogue and exchange, you are invited to join QC to create inventive performances and scenarios to ask, what is British society now and where are we going? Through a series of workshops in the open studio you will be given opportunities to perform in new, elaborate costumes by QC and respond to her specially commissioned 8×2 metre oil painting, which will present eclectic, diverse scenes from British society today. The resulting large scale oil painting will be on display in the Southwark Room at Tate Exchange. You will also be invited to work with a selection of props, scripts, and respond to a diverse selection of music by award winning composer, Cheryl Frances-Hoad, choral scholars from St John’s College Oxford and Quilla Constance/Producer Rafflesian.

As part of a related symposium event held in the Southwark Room at Tate Exchange, chaired by Dr Cara Courage (Head of Tate Exchange) you will also be given opportunities to showcase and discuss the performances created for Teasing Out Contingencies, and respond to presentations by guest speakers: Dr Mo Throp (Associate Researcher UAL), Dr Alexandra Kokoli (Senior Lecturer, Middlesex University), Adelaide Bannernman (Independent Curator) and Quilla Constance (Artist).

Whilst some live aspects of this work have been delayed due to Covid-19, QC has remained busily working on the commission throughout the pandemic. She has also made appearances on Rob and Romesh Vs Art on Sky TV and featured in the BBC Short How Limits Can Boost Your Creativity, continuing to build an international profile.

Take a closer look at her latest appearances below.