Reconsidering British Art History: The DRN and ECRN Summer Symposium

Call for papers for a one-day conference on the future of British art history
Convened by the Paul Mellon Centre’s DRN and ECRN

The Summer Symposium is scheduled for 10 June 2022. It will be a hybrid event.

The Symposium will be followed by a social event for all DRN and ECRN members.

This symposium offers an opportunity for doctoral students and early career researchers to share their work on topics related to British art and art history, broadly defined. The aim of the day is to showcase the diverse range of new research currently being undertaken in the field, and to reflect on contemporary challenges in researching, teaching and curating British art and art history, with a view to stimulating discussion and developing new ideas. A particular emphasis will be placed on new directions in the field of British visual culture, whether that be related to methodology, topic or another new approach. The symposium presents an opportunity for researchers to develop works-in-progress and foster new relationships, potentially leading to future collaborations.

We invite submissions for papers (fifteen minutes long) that address any aspect of British (broadly conceived) art, architecture or visual culture in any period. Papers could:

• present new findings on British artists and art institutions
• consider the networks and legacies of British artists and art institutions
• consider the historiography of British art
• showcase the need for new methodologies in British art history
• think critically about British artists’ depictions of marginalised communities
• reflect on the issues that arise when curating British artworks and art collections
• present ideas or solutions for the future of British art history
• expand the definition of the terms ‘British’ or ‘art’

As well as conference papers, we also encourage alternative approaches to British art and art history. The DRN and ECRN Co-convenors will consider proposals for pieces of creative writing, visual essays and forms of performance.

Submission Details

Submission deadline: Friday 15 April 2022, 5pm

• All abstracts must be submitted and presented in English.
• Abstracts should be based on any of the topic areas listed above, or in related areas.
• Abstracts may not be longer than 300 words.
• Abstracts should be accompanied by a biography of approximately 100 words (please do not send CVs).
• Notification of acceptance of the abstracts submitted will be sent via email by late April.
• Reasonable travel expenses will be provided.

Enquiries and final submissions should be directed to [email protected]