Smeared: Adam Stead
Adam’s practice investigates the relationships we have with modern British agriculture,
specifically dairy farming. He is from a farming background and is keen to find ways in
which to engage new audiences in the conversations around his work. The core of his
practice manifests within sculpture where he often makes use of common agricultural
materials such as steel and concrete. These materials are juxtaposed against cattle marker to
create installations which reference specific processes within dairying. Adam also regularly
collaborates with other artists and experts in agriculture and has completed two
commissioned projects to create work in response to dairy themed research. Recently this has
included the production of a short film titled ‘FEED’, based on agricultural research
conducted by the James Hutton Institute for the British Academy, and a workshop on cows in
response to the Museum of English Rural Life collections of Farmers Weekly magazines for
the project ‘51 Voices’. Check out Adam’s website for more.
The work in “Smeared” represents a continued investigation into the unique properties and vibrant colour
of cattle markers. These works explore cattle marker through the process of screen printing
onto paper and aluminium. Cattle marker is used in dairy farming to detect when cows are on
heat, and therefore ready to be served. Additionally featured in this install is a copy of the
1980s ‘Grading Up to Elite Cow’ board game which is a monopoly style cattle breeding
game on loan from the Museum of English Rural Life, University of Reading.
Location:
1B Window GalleryExhibition Dates:
23 July - 13 AugustFollow:
@adamsteadWebsite:
www.adamstead.comDate:
July 23, 2021