Louise Ashcroft uses processes of research, story-telling and intervention to explore the identity of places she finds interesting.
Reacting spontaneously to the world around her, Ashcroft’s work is often playful and uses humour as a catalyst for philosophical and political enquiry.
Louise graduated from The Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art, Oxford University, with first class honours in 2004. In 2008, she completed an MA in Cultural and Critical studies at Birkbeck College, University of London.
Curating and critical theory are important to Louise’s practice. She is one of the founding members of radical education group AltMFA and is curator of London’s Departure Gallery (as well as managing projects for The Departure Foundation). Louise is currently on a peripatetic residency (see here) walking the streets of London as part of 'The Geography of The Artist's Studio' a curatorial project by Squid and Tabernacle.
Contact:
ashcroftlouise@gmail.com
Education
MA Cultural and Critical Studies (Merit), Birkbeck, University of London, 2008. Dissertation on 'Nomadic Tendencies in Contemporary Art' (focusing on the work of Francis Alys and Rirkrit Tiravanija)
Bachelor of Fine Art (1st), The Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art, Oxford University, 2004.
Selected Exhibitions and Events
2012
Botanic at Oxford Botanical Gardens (forthcoming April-May 2012)
Peripatetic Residency, Squid & Tabernacle, February - May 2012
AltMFA interim show (forthcoming May 2012)
2011
Streaming Festival 2011, The Hague, 1/12/11 - 18/12/11. Selected short film and video art festival.
16 Spaces talk at LOW&HIGH's The Visitors- a series of guest lectures curated by TRANSPORT and Zbigniew Kotkiewicz as part of Folkestone Trienniale. 16th July 2011.
The Journey as a Site for Creative Practice: A Symposium on a Train Ride to Folkestone. 25th June 2011.
Circuit, an outdoor exhibition event in Margate curated by Pavilion. This was a collaborative project made by members of AltMFA. 26th March 2011.
Soanyway Magazine, Over and Over issue, Edited by Derek Horton and Lisa Stansbie. ISSN 2043-6408.
2010
Conical: A Symposium led by William Mackrell (a No I in Art collaborative project). 16th December 2010.
The Wheel Halloween Music Festival at Cecil Sharp House (in association with the ICA). Artists' procession curated by Matthew Cowan.
Live Fridays, Modern Art Oxford. 15th October 2010.
Rhizomatic, Departure Gallery, London, October-November 2010.
PROP, Departure Gallery, London. Setember-October2010.
Stardust Boogie Woogie, Monika Bobinska Gallery, London. July 2010.
All Systems Go, Departure Gallery, London. June-July 2010.
A Tender Cut, Fold Gallery, London Fields. June 2010.
The Middle of Nowhere: Objects and Actions in the Abyss, Departure Gallery, London. 5th-8th March 2010.
London Vox, Red Gate Gallery, Brixton, London. January-February 2010.
Michael Landy: Art Bin, South London Gallery, London, February 2010.
Mythical Lyrical, Sueli Turner Gallery, London. November 2009-January 2010.
2009
Trident Way 2: The Southall Project, Departure Gallery, The International Trading Estate, London. December 2009.
Trident Way, Departure Gallery, The International Trading Estate, London. October 2009.
Ouroboros, New work by Louise Ashcroft and Floss Cobb at Finspace, London N4, August 2009.
Boeing Way, Departure Gallery, The International Trading Estate, London. April- May 2009.
2005-08
House, a site-specific installation, made in collaboration with Lucie Galand, for Brasenose College Arts Festival, May 2008.
Wrecking Ball, an exhibition of work by Damien Hirst assistants, December 2007
Re-Formation, Christ Church Spitalfields, London, March-April 2007.
Tunnel, Projects at Christ Church, Christ Church Spitalfields, London, 2005.
2002-04
Moroccan Dream, The 20th Century Theatre, Portobello Road, London. 2004.
Atomic Art Bomb, Modern Art Oxford, Pembroke Street, Oxford, 2004.
Hay House, (solo show) organised by Projection, Godstow Nunnery ruins, Oxford, 2004.
Seedy Rushes, a site-specific exhibition in Oxford Botanical Gardens, 2003.
The Turl Street Arts Festival, Jesus College Oxford. 2003.
Oxford/ Lyon at BF15 Gallery, Place de la Terrace, Lyon, France, 2002.
Tele-Spectators (solo show), The Dolphin Gallery, Oxford, 2002.
Press/TV
Artlicks Magazine, May 2011.
The Spectator, October 2010.
The Culture Show 28 January 2010.
Trespass Magazine (Monsters Issue), March 2009.
BBC World Service 'Health Check' (art therapy), September 2010.