Art et al. Peer/Peer - Season One, Cromwell Place, London

Studio A artist Thom Roberts and UK-based artist Cherelle Sappleton joined forces for the Art et al. facilitated Peer/Peer program. The program aimed to foster rich, collaborative practices between two geographically disconnected artists while also championing neurodiverse contemporary art.

The pair corresponded over three months (2021-2022), primarily through video messages, and discussed their shared loves of photocopying, drawing, and abstract art. Throughout this period, Thom and Cherelle created a body of work that took inspiration from both their individual art practices. Digital images were manipulated and layered behind graphic illustrations and text to produce statement visual collages.

Who is Woody Tiger, encapsulated the two artists' shared interests in names and disciplinary boundaries, as Thom’s mysterious portrait of “Woody Tiger” (Studio A Principal Artist Emma Johnston) piqued the curiosity of Sappleton. The text motif “Who is Woody Tiger” featured in the final art series.

Thom and Cherelle’s works were displayed at Arts Project Australia’s Pop up exhibition in Melbourne, as well as Art et. al.’s exhibition Season One (16 March - 27 March 2022) at Cromwell Place in London. Excitingly, this was the first international exhibition to feature a Studio A artist.

Words: Sam Kalis

Photos: Andy Keate