Ruth Beale

Artist statement

Ruth Beale' practice takes the form of action-research into historical and social discourses, investigating cultural, epistemological and pedagogical concerns through discussion events, performance, drawing, collecting, and re-presentation of archive material. Theoretical interests manifest themselves in both long-term projects involving extensive archive research and collecting, and in more spontaneous performances which co-opt audiences, collaborators and participants. She is often present in the work as a performer, chair or orchestrator, or as scriptwriter, constructing plays and narratives from archive material, found texts and lists. Her poster-like prints advertise real and propositional events. 

A broad recurrent area of research is the role of art in society, and the tensions between individual and social emancipation. Libraries, archives and notions of heritage are a particular focus, specifically how culture and politics are managed, and how the preservation and dissemination of ideas and objects correlates with what is valued in society.