Uncertain States Open 2014

Uncertain States are proud to announce the nine artists selected by our panel for our inaugural Uncertain States Open 2014 exhibition at Four Corners Gallery from 10 October – 1 November 2014.

The selected artists from the Uncertain States Open Call 2014 are

Ellen Nolan selected by Sean O’Hagan, Georgia Metaxas selected by Richard Sawdon Smith, Lydia Goldblatt selected by Zelda Cheatle, Freya Gabie selected by Julie Cockburn, Andrei Nacu selected by Melanie Manchot, Georgina McNamara selected by Mari Mahr, Emilia Moisio selected by Pete James, Ellie Davies selected by Dave Than and Dominic Hawgood selected by Ángel Luis González Fernández.

Our ethos is simple. To engage with and disseminate the best of contemporary lens-based art.

The success of UCS Open 2014 is thanks to our selection team, chosen for their diversity across the arts, as practicing lens-based artists, critics, academics and writers. A vast reservoir of knowledge and experience in their respective fields has resulted in a diverse and outstanding showcase of photography.

We asked each of them to champion one artist. There was no discussion, no consensual compromises, just an individuals’ passion for each of the artists finally chosen. Without exception, our esteemed selectors have verbalised that they have been able to witness some very exciting projects from artists around the country.

The exhibition shifts between the desire to understand the foreign, the other and the inevitable transition, death. It is fascinating to see in contemporary practice, the artist’s concerns are still the most primal.

Uncertain States Issue 19 will be launched at the UCS Open 2014 exhibition. The issue will feature the nine photographers and statements from our selectors accompanying the artists work, offering insight into the selection process.

Image credit: Lydia Goldblatt, Bath, from the series Still Here