Thursday Late: Barry Sykes – Not Laughing Now!

In this special event devised to accompany Pippa Hale’s current exhibition Bananarchy! , artist Barry Sykes will present a performance lecture on the ridiculous strategies, absurd games and various experiments in human connection and social taboos that have made up his artist practice in recent years. Taking this opportunity to talk candidly about his motivations and the experiences the work has led to, together with the audience we will use various metrics to evaluate his practice’s potentials, pitfalls and pleasures.His current roster of projects involve life drawing, fancy dress, sauna culture, stroke rehabilitation, bad poetry, quick portraits and rain water. Each of them in their own way exploring how making, play and embracing fallibility could lead to a deeper understanding of the world and each other. He will also discuss how his own Autism diagnosis and his daughter’s Down Syndrome have reframed his practice and priorities.Barry will also be dressed as a make-shift clown for the duration of the evening and it will culminate in him leading a short introductory class in Laughter Yoga. 🙂

Barry Sykes (born Essex 1976, lives and works in London) uses drawing, sculpture and performance to investigate the overlooked details of social interactions. Working at the edges of value, skill and acceptable behaviour, recent activity has looked at how we channel these concerns through our bodies, in experiments with laughter, stillness, exercise and relaxation. Often acting as a host, guide or teacher, recent projects this year have been developed for various organisations including Whipps Cross University Hospital; Focal Point Gallery, Southend; Netley Primary School and Autism Unit; Goldsmith’s College, London and Shoreditch &Soul social wellness space.