Getting To Grips With Art History

Getting To Grips With Art History

NB: This is a two part event:

6 January and 20 January 2026

Join Dr Bryan Eccleshall for two sessions that will help you understand why a knowledge of art history matters and can enrich a developing visual art practice.

In the first session, he will make a case for the importance of developing an awareness of art history not just as a n academic pursuit in its own right, but as a stimulant for contemporary practice. He will also explain why a superficial response to art (which can often be based on whether something is ‘liked’ or not) can lead to difficulty.

Contemporary art builds on and responds to its context. Some of that context is societal – what’s happening now in the world at large – but it’s often the case that artists use art historical references to enrich their practice. We…