Jeremy Deller - Contemporary Art Evening Sale London Saturday, June 28, 2008 | Phillips

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  • Provenance

    Cabinet Gallery, London

  • Exhibited

    Norwich, Norwich Art Gallery, One Night Stand, 17 February – 1 March, 1997; London, South London Gallery, Lovecraft, 3 April – 10 May 1998; New York, Gavin Brown's Enterprise, 22 May – 30 June, 2005; Münich Kunstverein, Jeremy Deller, 15 October – 27 November, 2005; Bexhill on Sea, De La Warr Pavilion, Jeremy Deller, 22 July – 17 September 2006 (selected works)

  • Literature

    J.Deller, Life is to Blame for Everything: Collected work & projects 1992-99, London, 1999, p. 61 (illustrated); J.Deller, The Uses of Literacy, London, 1999, illustrated throughout

  • Catalogue Essay

    British artist Jeremy Deller has been conducting and producing organized projects which draw attention to forms of culture on the fringes of the mainstream and reveal hidden histories which the viewer is invited to participate in. Acting as a designer, artist and curator, Deller has most recently and firmly explored the cultural and political heritage of Britain.
    In The uses of literacy the artist takes his personal love for the now half-legendary rock band The Manic Street Preachers who played an important role in teenagers lives as well as on the Brit Indie Rock scene of the early 90s. By soliciting for contributions via advertisements in the music press, Jeremy Deller here has collected drawings, paintings, poetry and prose from the young fans. The Manic Street Preachers have always emphasized the importance of art and literature to the band - using quotations on their record sleeves, merchandising and as part of their live shows - as an escape from the mundane.
    ‘The analogous relationship between aesthetic and political revolt, a relationship epitomized in the Manics' image: their dress sense has combined cosmetics and political slogans. Their political beliefs stem from their upbringing in the working class Welsh Valleys, while their make-up and effeminate clothing marked them out in what was a tough, conformist community.' (Taken from Center for Visual Arts Cardiff, Exhibition Catalogue, Un-convention by Jeremy Deller, 20 November – 16 January, 2000)
    Referencing Richard Hoggart's seminal study 'The Uses of Literacy', Jeremy Deller reveals the complex relationship between the audience and performer and the art and literature that unites a socially and geographically displaced group of individuals. Deller was awarded the Tate Turner Prize in 2004.
     

285

The Uses of Literacy

1999
Mixed media including pencil on paper, pen on paper, books, collage on paper, photographs, acrylic on canvas.
Installation size variable

Estimate
£50,000 - 70,000 ‡♠

Sold for £61,250

Contemporary Art Evening Sale

29 June 2008, 5pm
London