LIVERPOOL.- Bluecoat, Liverpool’s centre for the contemporary arts, has announced the appointment of Adam Smythe as its new curator.
Adam will devise exhibitions for the gallery as part of a new team created to enhance Bluecoat’s vision to bring exciting contemporary artistic work to Liverpool.
In addition, Adam will contribute to Bluecoat’s events programme, focusing in particular on the crossover between visual art and literature.
Born in Liverpool and raised in Runcorn, Adam joins Bluecoat from The Lombard Method gallery in Birmingham of which he is a co-founder.
He brings with him a wealth of experience of curating exhibitions and organising residencies with a focus on developing artistic talent and commissioning ambitious new work by emerging and mid career artists.
Mary Cloake, Chief Executive of Bluecoat: “We are delighted to welcome Adam to Bluecoat, he will bring new dimensions to our work. He joins Head of Programme Marie-Anne McQuay who came to us from Spike Island, Bristol late last year. These appointments represent a shift in Bluecoat’s ambition for the arts, enabling us to reflect the best of emerging practice alongside excellent established work.”
Head of Programme Marie Anne McQuay says: “Through his self-initiated work at The Lombard Method, Adam played a key role in generating debate and collaboration between artists in Birmingham.
“He brings to Bluecoat crucial experience and understanding of developing artists’ practice outside of London, something we are seeking to champion and support.”
Adam Smythe says of his appointment: "I am delighted to be joining the Bluecoat, particularly at this exciting time leading up to the 300th anniversary of the building in 2017. I look forward to returning to Liverpool, a city internationally recognised for its progressive and lively culture. The Bluecoat has been, and continues to be, a significant part of Liverpool's cultural identity and I am proud to be part of its future."
Adam Smythe studied Fine Art at Birmingham City University and Curating at Goldsmiths College, University of London.
Through his work at The Lombard Method he has been instrumental in encouraging dialogue between arts organisations, working with independent spaces and institutions across the UK including g39, Cardiff; S1, Sheffield; David Dale Gallery, Glasgow; Malgras|Naudet, Manchester and Ikon, Birmingham.
Smythe will also continue to work independently as a writer with a special interest in the crossover between literary and curatorial strategies.
He has previously collaborated with designers Robin Kirkham and Harry Blackett as co-editor of the weekly journal Countersituation, performed readings of his work for The Happy Hypocrite and contributed text to the recent exhibition Birmingham Show at Eastside Projects.
Smythe takes over from Sara Jayne Parsons, who left Bluecoat in 2014 to become Curator of the Galleries at TCU in Fort Worth, Texas.
