Broken Grey Wires and Phoenix Art Space present an exhibition of work by artists who explore empowerment, gender, and community. Are You A Woman in Authority? communicates the powerful rhetoric behind key social issues: mental illness, class struggles, race, queerness and feminist discourse, and how these intersect. It brings together established, critically acclaimed artists and provides a platform for emerging artists.

Janine Antoni – Bobby Baker  – Lizz Brady – kevanté ac cash – Lynn Hershman Leeson  – Permindar Kaur – Sarah Lucas – Sarah Maple  – Tracey Moffatt – Jade Montserrat – Zanele Muholi – Anya Paintsil – Charlotte Prodger – Martha Rosler – Carol Sommer

How much does identity, gender, sexual preference and disability impact our opportunities in society? Do women, or those identifying as non-binary need to work harder to be successful? These questions preoccupy the curatorial vision behind Are You A Woman in Authority with works by leading artists, including Sarah Lucas, Jade Montserrat, Zanele Muholi and 2018 Turner Prize winner Charlotte Prodger. The exhibition also sees the second iteration of the Mad Manual Toolkit and The Comfort Zone.

Featuring photography, interactive installation, video and painting, the exhibition works resonate with the personal mental health experiences of Brady herself, having founded Broken Grey Wires in 2016 after a period of continued mental health crisis.

Rooted in the lived experience of illness, the Mad Manual Toolkit gives audiences the autonomy to explore the exhibition in their own way, with a range of suggested activities, themed around writing, drawing, mindfulness and movement. Red, yellow and green badges accompany the toolkit to encourage or discourage approaches to visitors by gallery staff, creating a safer environment to experience the artwork. The Comfort Zone is a space where people can reflect on the exhibition, rest, read zines, drink tea or simply lie on the sofas with a blanket.

Throughout the exhibition there will be a programme of artist residencies, talks and a family focused workshop, including collaborations with Outside In and Brighton’s Women Centre. Check back here in September for more details.

Join us for the exhibition opening on Friday 29 September, 6pm – 8pm.

EVENTS PROGRAMME

Constructing Memories Workshop
11 October, 12.00 – 14.00
Click here to book your free place

Crafting Eulogies Workshop (Online)
21 October, 13.00 – 15.00
Click here to book your free place

More workshops and events to be announced in September.

Are You A Woman in Authority? is supported by Arts Council England.

Image credits; Born to suffer the weight of men, 2015 © Jade Montserrat, copyright the Artist (Featured Image)
If I loved you it was because of your hair. Now that you are without hair, I don’t love you anymore, 2010 © Sarah Maple, copyright the Artist (Top left)
Kitchen Show (publicity image) LIFT, London, 1991. © Bobby Baker. All rights reserved, DACS/Artimage 2022.  Photo: Andrew Whittuck (Bottom left)