Art Licks Issue 28 marks the third and final stage in Art Licks’ recent Trilogy project, for which we have produced three issues of the magazine (26 – 28) from different cities: Newcastle, Bristol and Birmingham. The aim was to explore varying practices and artist communities across the country; their entrepreneurial methods of collaboration, structures of support, adventurous programming and tactics for sustainability.

This issue has been produced in Birmingham with guest co-editor, Andrew Gillespie. Andrew is an artist and organises Recent Activity, a curatorial project delivering a programme of exhibitions and events in Digbeth, Birmingham.

The Editors chose to focus on the title: The Idea of a City, to think about how our relationship with the city has, or might have, shifted over the last few years. What are the opportunities for a city in 2022? How can a city be reimagined through an art practice, and how can a city’s communities be integral to new ideas? 

The resulting contributions offer a specific glimpse into a group of artists working in Birmingham and how the environment they live and work amongst influences their practices.

Editor: Holly Willats; with Guest Editor: Andrew Gillespie
Design: Margherita Huntley; Copy Editor: Max Alletzhauser; Printing: The Pale Green Press

Art Licks Issue 28 is funded by Arts Council England