Born in Malta in 1960 and raised in Birmingham, Keith Piper studied art at Trent Polytechnic and The Royal College of Art. He was a founder member of the BLK Art Group in the 1980s. The group fought to raise the profile of black artists through exhibitions and conferences, a contribution whose significance is only now being recognized in the development of 20th century British art.
Piper's initial interests in collage and print media contributed to a pioneering use of early computer technology, not only as a tool for video editing and effects but also for it's potential interactivity, exemplified by his 1997 CDRom and website for inIVA, Relocating the Remains. Piper's multi-screen, multi-media installations, often taking their sources from popular sources such as television, explore representations of race within history and culture.
Over the past 30 years Piper has used a variety of media, from painting, photography and installation to digital media, video and computer based interactivity. His work has shown extensively; with solo exhibitions at the Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, The Camden Arts Centre, London, The Orchard Gallery, Derry and The New Museum, New York.
Unearthing the Banker's Bones, a new Arts Council Collection 70th Anniversary commission by Keith Piper premiered as part of the artist’s solo show of the same name at Liverpool’s Bluecoat Gallery, 28 October – 22 January 2017.
Unearthing the Banker’s Bones is currently on tour at New Art Exchange in Nottingham, 1 April – 11 June.