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London Day Course

Introduction to Contemporary Art

This intensive five-day course provides a basis for the analysis and interpretation of contemporary paintings, sculptures, installations and conceptual works. Lectures will consider key issues in contemporary European, American and international art from 1960 to the present day, and will be complemented by special visits to London galleries, artist studios and museums. 

Click here to download course timetable (PDF).

Course dates

9 - 13 July 2012: 10.00am - 4.30pm

Faculty

Anna Moszynska
Since receiving an MA in History of Art from the Courtauld Institute in London, Anna Moszynska devised and taught art courses in various London colleges before initiating contemporary art studies at Sotheby's Institute of Art – London where she directed its first MA to be validated by the University of Manchester, the MA in Contemporary Art. She has written and broadcast extensively in this field. Publications include the books Abstract Art and Antony Gormley Drawings and most recently, catalogues on Lisa Wright and Rebecca Salter. She has forthcoming essays on Gerhard Richter and the collaborative team Langlands and Bell and was a judge for the Jerwood Sculpture Prize 2008.

Dr. James Hicks
Dr. James Hicks is a London-based art historian. Educated at James Madison University, Goldsmiths, and the University of Hertfordshire, his specialisation is in 19th century British art history, Orientalism and Critical Theory. He lectures at the Tate galleries and the National Portrait Gallery. In addition, James also teaches at Pepperdine and James Madison universities for their London programmes

Dr. Pierre Saurisse
Consultant Lecturer, MA Contemporary Art, Sotheby’s Institute of Art
Dr. Saurisse completed his Ph.D. in France, and he is an associate member of the research team “Art History and Criticism”, based at the University of Rennes (France). Before he joined Sotheby’s Institute of Art, he taught contemporary art at the University of Aix-Marseille. In 2007 he published a book on chance in European and American art in the 1960s (La Mécanique de L’Imprévisible). Other publications include articles in Histoire de l’Art, Beaux-Arts Magazine and Critique d’art. He is currently working on an essay about Gilbert & George, based on his participation in the conference Sculpture & Performance that was recently held at the Henry Moore Institute.

Olivia Thornton
Olivia Thornton joined the Contemporary department at Sotheby’s in 2006. She plays a pivotal role as the Head of Contemporary Art day sales, most recently overseeing the second highest total ever for a day sale in June, when the auction made an impressive total of £19.8 million. In 2008 Olivia was instrumental in the ground breaking sale of works by Damien Hirst, Beautiful inside My Head Forever, which achieved a staggering £111 million. Olivia read History of Art at Cambridge University, and followed with a Masters degree from the Courtauld Institute, London. Prior to joining Sotheby’s, Olivia worked for the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice, working on exhibitions by Jackson Pollock and Ed Ruscha, and contributed as a freelance researcher for a publication on British Art.

Course fees

£850 (£800 if booked by 4 June)

Online Booking


Click here to book now and pay online. Payment by credit card only.

If you prefer to pay by wire transfer or cheque, please email the course contact listed below.

Further Information


For further information, please contact Lyn Calzia
Tel: +44 (0)20 7462 3253
Email: l.calzia@sothebysinstitute.com


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