Coventry’s Art Riot Collective visit MK Gallery’s Trickster Figures exhibition and share their thoughts with us

"I really loved the exhibition and all the different parts” – Leigh

Three artists from Art Riot Collective in Coventry travelled down to see the Trickster Figures exhibition, curated by Jes Fernie at MK Gallery in Milton Keynes. Trickster Figures presents the next chapter in the story of British sculpture, bringing together a selection of work by eleven contemporary artists. The exhibition explores the body’s newly configured relation to the world which involves increasingly fluid movement between binary systems, technology, human forms, animals, identities, and the environment. This is what the artists told us about their day and the exhibition.

We are visiting the gallery as a collective to be inspired and see some of the artists works that we have been following online. We chose a Sunday to visit the gallery, as this is the time when they have relaxed viewing. All artists travelled by car with their support, and we met as a group in the cafe. It took an hour to get there.

Sophie and Rosie from the gallery had sent us some accessible information to make our visit easier. We had some information about the exhibition, how to get there and where all the facilities were on site. We started by looking at some information whilst having a cup of tea in the cafe. There is also a shop at MK Gallery, and we had found an interesting book, so while we waited for everyone to arrive we looked through this. We all travelled separately – this is because we need our own cars, as trains and travelling with people can be extremely stressful. The drive is about an hour and it means we arrive relaxed and ready for the exhibition. Roxanne arrived super early and had already eaten cake in the cafe. Ketan arrived slightly later, he needed to have a good walk before entering into the gallery – this helped him regulate and be calm for the exhibition.

Meet the artists that went to the exhibition, and their art practice

Leigh – I do a lot of drawing and painting. Often drawings of green humans (aliens) which I use to tell the world how I am feeling and make sense of the world around me.

Roxanne – I paint colourful sequences of numbers and letter’s using a variety of materials and sizes. My work can reflect my experience of joy and happiness. Roxanne does art as her favourite activity and as her daily routine. She likes drawing and colouring.

Ketan – I am a painter and drawer, I use a lot of movement to create my work, often swirls and lines that represent my position in the world and how motion is part of my life.

We are Roxanne’s and Ketan support team. We support them daily and also support with their art practice including helping them to visit galleries.

What are your first thoughts when we walk into the exhibition?

Roxanne’s support said it was well organised and well decorated. They said Roxanne was so excited when she arrived at the exhibition. She liked the area where the other artist’s work was displayed. She was really excited when she looked at the show first. Roxanne had a great time; she was calm on the way to MK Gallery and back to Coventry. Roxanne enjoyed exploring the different artist’s work and pictures. Roxanne liked the environment, where the car park was located, the other artists work and the calming atmosphere.

Ketan’s support said it was good, well-spaced, had many different artworks, as well as being colourful and well organised. As someone who supported Ketan, I was happy with the set up, and I think Ketan had a great time. He was in a good mood throughout the day. Ketan moved through the space quickly, navigating around the different art works. Ketan liked the exhibition as it was his first time there, he was very happy. Ketan liked the different artworks. It was a good environment and location, and had friendly staff.

Leigh – I didn’t know what to expect and the gallery entrance was a bit stressful. I was meant hand my bag in, but I didn’t know why or where the lockers were. I really loved the exhibition and all the different parts.

Which ones catch your eye or are you drawn to straight away? Let’s have a look at those – can you tell us about them?

Roxanne liked Nnena Kalu’s artwork, it was colourful and made Roxanne smile and dance around the room. Ketan liked the artist Nnena Kalu – the support said they saw similarities between Nnena’s work and Ketan’s and it helped them to see what else Ketan could achieve.

Leigh loved the work of Saelia Aparicio, see the photo below. This work has inspired Leigh to draw her artwork larger using charcoal for the Art Riot Collective at MK gallery residency on the 31 March and 1 April 2023 – see Art Riot Collective Instagram for more information on this residency.