Svar Simpson
Visual Artist, Sculptor, Public Art, Trans-Activist
Bio
I created the main body of sculptural work from the mid 90’s to 2005, from my studio in East London. At the time I was working in a fine art bronze foundry, and became
experienced with the whole casting process . During this time I was also working towards my M.A Fine Art graduation show at St Martins School of Art and Design. After the M.A, my focus shifted from a very personal, studio-based practice towards public and community arts. I began working with urban forms and regeneration and getting public art commissions in different boroughs of London, and working in collaboration. I was also teaching at the College of North-East London and had become more politically active in the fast-evolving Trans Community.
Recently I’ve developed a strong desire to return to personal practice. My production is gravitating further towards the use of organic materials: clay, latex, kombucha scoby (a self-generating fungus), and using vegetables, flowers and spirulina powder for colours.
Working collaboratively: in fine art, film, live art, performance, is also significant to my practice. I have started to work again figuratively, and take up a pseudo biotech
interrogation towards trans-bodies. My own ever-transitioning trans identity ultimately asserts my otherness in current debate on gender and sexuality.
2024 Scoby Daddy Performance as part of Trans Daddy event London.
Sponsored by Museum of Transology and Duckie
2023 Le Coq Artist’s Residency UrsuLab, Antre-Peaux, Bourges, France.
Research project in biolab - ongoing
2023 In Transit International Hackerteria Society, Zurich - (YouTube)
2022 Pelze’ group archive exhibition (Sept 22-February23) – researched and curated by Sarah Habbersberger, Synnika, Frankfurt. In conference with die Blaue Distanz
2022 Trans-Angel’ Permanent Sculpture in Crossbones Cemetery. Southwark, London - Commissioned by The Outside Project for Trans Day of Remembrance 20th November 2022. The Outside Project
2020 Artist’s Residency – UrsuLab, Antre-Peaux, Bourges, France.
Production of silicon embryo in collaboration with Unborn0x9 -
Installation/Performance by Shu Lea Cheang and Ewen Chardronet
For my production report and Images
2000-2019 Part Time Lecturer- College of North-East London
Independent Public and Community Artist. Trans-activism and workshops.
2010 Erotic Artist of the Year Award Sponsored by the Leydig Trust
2008 Sexmutant - Group show of mix media work and live events.
2006 Rush - Performance in collaboration with Dr. Rachel Armstrong
on the theme of Alien Abduction – ICA, London
2004 Celebrating the Cyborg - Vienna. Collaborative exhibition with
Ashley Hans Scheirl.
2004 ‘Late Date’ B&W low res digital - 8mins.
Premiered at The New Festival, NYC 2004
2003 Shoreditch Arts Trail Regents Canal Hackney. Public Arts Commission funded
by Shoreditch Our Way. Large steel sculptures along the canal tow path.
2002 Lincoln Gateway Sculpture Public Art Commission sponsored by Poplar Harca.,
2001 Open Surgery - Toronto Live Art collaboration with Oreet Ashery.
Funded by L.A.B., The British Council and F .A.D.O.
2000 Brandon/Body of Evidence website collaboration with Shu Lea Cheang
2000 Manchester Academy Open
Winner of Manchester Evening News Open Award
2000 Walls Have Ears – Berlin. Installation (and workshops)
-Pelze Multimedia, Berlin. Funded by Berlin Arts Senate.
1999 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition Royal Academy of Art, London W1
1999 Manchester Academy Open Granada Foundation Award and the Peoples’ Prize
1993 Tree of Hearts, London Environmental Public Art Project, Funded by British Trees, Commission and London Borough of Islington
1992 Aura East Berlin Inter-disciplinary collaboration of International Artists. Funded by Berlin Arts Senate
1990 Call of the Serpent TaiChi/Yoga-Dance performance collaboration with Sama Fabian: London, Paris, Lyon, Berlin. Funded by Chisenhale Dance Space and L.A.B.
1990 Musentemple Berlin Solo Show - Pelze Multimedia Berlin Funded by Berlin Arts
Svar Simpson
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