Nico Heller in Conversation with the artist André Stitt.

This episode of Annotations features André Stitt, an artist whose life and work have been profoundly shaped by the Northern Ireland Troubles. The dialogue explores the intersection of materiality, social dynamics, and identity in contemporary human experience - central themes in André's work.

We examine how physical structures and the built environment shape personal and communal narratives, reflecting on André's investigation of trauma, sectarianism, and the body. Through his deeply personal insights, we consider art as a transformative and redemptive force in the face of political and social upheaval.

Born in Belfast in 1958, André's practice initially evolved from painting to performance art as a direct response to civil conflict, before returning to painting as an expanded proposition in 2013. Now Professor of Performance & Interdisciplinary Art at Cardiff School of Art & Design, André has also curated numerous international projects, solidifying his position as one of Northern Ireland's most influential artists.

Further information about André and his work is available via Cardiff Metropolitan University. To ensure you never miss an Annotations Dialogue, do subscribe to our YouTube channel and our newsletter at annotations.art. If you are already a free subscriber and like what we do, please consider upgrading to a paid subscription.

Nico Heller in Conversation with Performance Artist Brian Patterson.

In the crucible of Northern Ireland's complex cultural landscape, live art has, over the past 50 years, emerged as a powerful medium of engagement, critique, and healing. This dialogue examines the growth of artist-led initiatives that have shaped the landscape of contemporary performance art in Northern Ireland and beyond. We talk about the challenges and transformative impact of sustaining a live art practice over time, the importance of cross-border and international collaborations, and the strategies employed to engage wider audiences.

Joining us for this dialogue is Brian Patterson, who is currently researching the history of performance art in Ireland at the Belfast School of Art. He is also a veteran performance artist and co-founder of Bbeyond, which for the past 20 years has played a key role in promoting and evolving live art both in Northern Ireland and internationally. His dual perspective as artist and promoter offers unique insights into the practicalities of nurturing ephemeral forms of art outside of the cultural mainstream. Through our conversation, we'll explore Bbeyond's impact - from its monthly performance meetings to global projects - and consider how such initiatives have the power to shape not only the future of performance art but also the broader cultural landscape in an ever-changing world.

Further information about Brian Patterson and his work is available via Bbeyond. To ensure you never miss an Annotations Dialogue, do subscribe to our YouTube channel and our newsletter at annotations.art. If you are already a free subscriber and like what we do, please consider upgrading to a paid subscription.

Nico Heller in Conversation with the Taiwanese Curator Erica Yu-Wen Huang.

This episode tackles the pressing challenges facing politically engaged artists and curators in an era of eroding artistic freedoms. We explore how the global rise of illiberalism reshapes creative expression, resistance, and critical practice. And we dissect the evolving relationships between art, politics, and audience engagement, offering insights into navigating these turbulent waters. The dialogue confronts the big questions: How can critical voices persist and adapt? What role do curators play in supporting provocative art? And what strategies emerge as artists and institutions grapple with new forms of censorship and control?

Joining us to explore these critical issues is Erica Yu-Wen Huang, an independent curator based in Taipei. With a Master's in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester, Erica brings valuable experience as former Curator at Hong Kong's Centre for Heritage, Arts & Textile. Her curatorial research on hybrid cultures, migration, and geopolitics uniquely positions her to dissect the complex interplay between art, politics, and societal change in our current global climate.

Further information about Erica Yu-Wen Huang is available via LinkedIn. Her blog can be found at ericayuwenhuang.tumblr.com. To ensure you never miss an Annotations Dialogue, do subscribe to our YouTube channel and our newsletter. If you are already a free subscriber and like what we do, please consider upgrading to a paid subscription.