LONDON.- The East Wing Collection is a biennial student-curated contemporary art show featuring the work of up-and-coming artists alongside that of well-known established names. The 8th East Wing Collection, On Time, will be on show in The Courtauld Institute of Art, Somerset House, London, from January 2008 until July 2009. It will be open to the public on Saturday, 26 January and then at least one weekend and one evening every month.

The East Wing Collection was founded to promote contemporary art within and outside The Courtauld Institute of Art. East Wing Collection 8: On Time will embrace a wide spectrum of works that explore notions of time with innovative approaches to traditional media, fusing the old and the new with a unique creativity that can be appreciated on different conceptual levels. This cutting-edge show will include works by over 30 artists, amongst them such well-known names as Antony Gormley, Philip Jackson, Miltos Manetas, Marilène Oliver and Mark Wallinger. There will also be exciting new works made especially for the exhibition by Aisling Hedgecock (named The Artist 2007 by Michael Glover in The Independent Talent 2007 supplement), Danica Maier, Sebastian Winnett and Juliana Leite.

These contemporary artists from around the world will engage with notions of temporality, constructed, deconstructed, modified and manipulated time, as well as the role played by recent technological developments. The power of history and memory, and the systems and devices by which our everyday lives are framed or controlled, will be explored as they relate to our existence today where speed and the hunger for 'progress' are becoming ever-increasing concerns. The selected artists transform themes from the past to make them exciting and new for the present day.

Time is an increasingly precious commodity in today's world; something we all value but never have enough of. This theme is subject to many interpretations which the different artists explore in a variety of ways. Marilène Oliver's Ötzi, created from CT scan images, not only addresses technological progress but also captures images of the unstable human condition. The systems of the body, normally feverish with movement, are stilled, alluding to humanity's own end of time - death. Antony Gormley's Blanket Drawing I also shows a body trapped in time, the suggested movement of the headless figure intimating an attempt at an impossible escape from a permanent timeless state. The infinite, evolving internet paintings of Miltos Manetas bring the vast technology of computers to the viewer in traditional media whilst offering us an intimate insight into the artist's reflections and memories of moments from his own life. Employing a less conventional method of camera-less photography, Susan Derges depicts a flowing river or frozen icescape implying a similar impression of unmoving timelessness.

The Courtauld Institute of Art is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and the East Wing Collection demonstrates that, as well as being a centre of excellence of the study for art history, The Courtauld very much has its finger on the pulse of the contemporary art scene. East Wing aims to be refreshing in its perspective and the Collection offers the public the opportunity to hear the voice of a younger generation of art historians with their fresh and innovative outlook on art that is being created here and now. Dr Deborah Swallow, Director of The Courtauld said, "I am delighted that the tradition established by Joshua Compston in 1991 as the 'Courtauld Loan Collection' continues to thrive in the shape of the forthcoming East Wing Collection 8. This show, like its predecessors, is a strong expression of the active engagement our students have with the wider art world and reinforces the important link between art objects and the study of art history."

On Time is generously sponsored by Somerfield PLC in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support. Paul Mason, CEO of Somerfield PLC, said "Somerfield is delighted to sponsor On Time. This is a new step for our business and we are very keen to support both established and up-and- coming contemporary artistic talent with such an exciting collection and theme. Developing talent is a key focus for our business and I am especially pleased that we can support the students of The Courtauld Institute of Art with the staging of this public exhibition which will build their commercial experience as well as their artistic talent and appreciation."