Jeremy Deller’s work is largely collaborative and participatory, seeking to form new connections between contrasting histories and communities.
Describing himself as a ‘self-taught conceptual artist’, he will often orchestrate events such as historical re-enactments and processions, as well as open-ended projects. He is known for The Battle of Orgreave (2001), in which he brought together almost 1,000 people to publically re-stage the clash between police and protesters during the 1984 Miners’ Strike.
The History of the World (1998) was the starting point for the wider music project Acid Brass, a musical collaboration between the artist and the Williams Fairey Brass Band. This saw renowned acid house tracks re-configured and performed by a traditional brass ensemble. The work consists of a flow diagram, which forges a link between the two genres, via other musical styles, social events and traditions.
"I drew this diagram about the social, political and musical connections between house music and brass bands – it shows a thought process in action. It was also about Britain and British history in the twentieth century and how the country had changed from being industrial to post-industrial. It was the visual justification for Acid Brass. Without this diagram, the musical project Acid Brass would not have a conceptual backbone."
Jeremy Deller.
The History of the World can be seen at the Towner Art Gallery, Eastbourne, as part of our National Partnership Programme exhibition Now, Today, Tomorrow and Always, until 8 October 2017.