Catherine Mason 
Read my review in Studio International of the new display of computer art at the Victoria & Albert Museum London – Chance and Control: Art in the age of Computers and learn of the remarkable diversity of the V&A’s collection and how it has grown from early beginnings in just ten years. Among many things of interest here are three fabulous works by Harold Cohen from his early, mid and later period. Exhibition on now until 18 November 2018.
The Open I have curated for Wells Maltings, in North Norfolk is now up and running. CONNECTION is the inaugural exhibition in the Handa Gallery and celebrates the quality and diversity of art in East Anglia today.
A call to artists with connections to East Anglia was made in October 2017, via an anonymous entry process. We were thrilled by the enthusiastic response, indicative of the large amount of talent in this region. A wide variety of styles, materials, methods and subject matter was immediately apparent as was the high standard of works submitted. From over 900 entries around 250 two-dimensional works of art were selected. The idea was based on a true Open, taking inspiration from the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, giving visitors an opportunity to view and purchase work by artists at every level of their career, from emerging talent to established figures. Come and see! Open every day from 10 to 6, until 30 September. Free entry.
The computer, like any tool or machine, extends human capabilities. But it is unique in that it extends the power of the mind as well as the hand. Robert Mallary, 1976
Read my essay From Mind to Machine, computer drawing in art history, just published in the catalogue to coincide with the Writing New Codes exhibition at the Mayor Gallery, Cork Street.
I was inspired by the above quote from American pioneer of computer arts, Robert Mallary (1917-1997), whose work will be on view in the show from 6 June, along with drawings by Vera Molnar and Waldemar Cordeiro. The fully illustrated catalogue can be purchased from the Gallery.
See also this review by Colin Gleadell in the Daily Telegraph.
All my BCS Image of the Month articles are now archived on-line at the Computer Arts Society. With thanks to Sean Clark for his sterling work on this.
Fifty years on from Cybernetic Serendipity, the 1968 exhibition of computer art, Studio International remembers the impact and legacy of this seminal show. Read my article which looks at the history of the exhibition and how it has shaped digital art in the years since.
AND Congratulations to Paul Brown for his show Process, Chance, and Serendipity: Art That Makes Itself at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington D.C. on now until 15 July 2018. Read a review in the New Scientist.
Don’t miss the wonderful Roger Law exhibition at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts (running until 3 April). A chance to see not only the famous Spitting Image puppets (and a new Trump puppet!), but also his ceramics – beautifully delineated with intricate imagery.
What an amazing draughtsman is Law, see his sketchbook drawings in pen, ink & watercolour, on public view for the first time here.
Thrilled to be a part of Showcase, the arts program on TRT World television on 14 November, with thanks to Belle Lupton. Watch me again here, speaking about the effects of technology on art. 
CONNECTION : OPEN 2018 – Celebrating the best East Anglian art to launch Wells Maltings Art Space
The exciting launch exhibition at the new Wells Maltings art space, opening Spring 2018 will bring together the best artists with an affinity to the East Anglian Region within the landmark Maltings buildings on Staithe Street, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk. Open to all artists who have connections with East Anglia (2-dimensional work only please), submit your work here – deadline mid-March next year. Show opens late April 2018 and will run throughout the summer. Don’t miss being a part of this new venture. With thanks to my fellow selectors – artist Tracey Ross, Veronica Sekules of the Groundwork Gallery Kings Lynn and Simon Daykin General Manager of the Maltings.
Come to my forthcoming lecture in Dundee –
‘A huge space of endless predetermined possibilities’: Computer art and the influence of D’Arcy Thompson
On 8 November 6pm, I’m thrilled to be going to the D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum to talk about how the writing of code has been used to draw since digital computing technology became accessible to artists from the mid-1960s. This year is the 100th anniversary of D’Arcy W Thompson’s book On Growth and Form (1917) which had a formative influence on the pioneers of algorithmic art.
In this talk we will learn how complex and visually arresting imagery often comes from surprisingly simple sets of instructions. We will discover that the use of the computer offers ‘a huge space of endless predetermined possibilities.’ (William Latham, artist)
Co-organised with the Abertay Historical Society as part of NEoN Digital Arts Festival supported by Creative Scotland. Book your ticket here
Wonderful, site-specific Richard Long work. Made of local Carrstone, a natural sandstone seen in this part of Norfolk particularly in domestic architecture (often called ‘gingerbread’ in N W Norfolk). A Line in Norfolk embodies the artist’s concepts of nature combined with physical action and gives a true feeling of place.
Part of the large and impressive EARTH SKY exhibition running at Houghton Hall until end October.
