Speakeasy, which ran from 2003-2005, was an ongoing dialogue group consiting in 8 permanent members meeting monthly to talk about their practice, show works in progress and discuss their careers. Each month, the same group of artists and curators met in a gallery, studio or other venue. The dialogue during these meetings formed the material of my practice during this time, which only occurred when a meeting was taking place.
The project helped me to examine over a long period of time the dynamics present in an evolving group conversation, which has proved invaluable to my current practice. It also helped me understand how seemingly everyday activities - conversations, meeting friends - is an extension of, and in some way perhaps even the main part of my practice as an artist. Speakeasy opened up a new way of thinking about artistic practice and a new way to engage with art as a lived activity.
Speakeasy was also one of the inspirations for the Artquest Forum project, which I initiated at Artquest in 2004.
More information about Speakeasy is on the Speakeasy website.
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