about

Benjamin Sebastian (1980 AUS/GB) is a trans-disciplinary visual artist and curator living in London (U.K.). Their artistic practice encompasses performance, sculpture, video, installation, collage, textiles & new media rooted in processes of bricolage, assemblage, ritual & speculation. Their curatorial work centres on amplifying the voices of neurodivergent, queer, global majority & womxn artists - with a specific focus on contemporary British & International, time-based practices.

Installation view: ‘Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light’ at Herbert Read Gallery - Canterbury. Image courtesy of the artist - 2024

Sebastian’s most recent curatorial project ‘Archipelago: Visions In Orbit’ is currently on display at Whitechapel Gallery until the 5th Jan 2025. Their solo touring exhibition; Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light, launched in September 2024 with an inaugural showing at Herbert Read Gallery (Canterbury) followed by an exhibition run at CT20 (Folkestone, Nov - Dec 2024). Additional exhibition dates for the 2025 tour season will be announced shortly.

Performance documentation: ‘Phoenix’ at ]performance s p a c e [ - Hackney Wick, London. Photography by Marco Berardi - 2013

Through harmonizing nonbinary perspectives along with neurodivergent cognition and decolonial practices, Sebastian’s visual art and curatorial work weave together critical research, lived experience, and speculative methodologies. This holistic approach holds space for alternative narratives & ways of remembering to emerge, while creatively engaging the present to chart pathways toward yet-to-be-imagined futures.

Installation view: ‘Every Hole A Portal Every Piece A Bridge’ at VSSL Studio - London. Photography by Marco Berardi - 2023

In compliment to their artistic and curatorial work, Sebastian is also artistic director of both ]performance s p a c e [ - England’s only performance art specific organisation - and VSSL Studio; a gallery dedicated to the development and production of contemporary, queer artistic practice.

‘Jonny (On The Genealogy Of Morals)’. Image courtesy of the artist - 2012

Sebastian recieved their BA Fine Art HONS (1st Class) from the University of Lincoln and MA Curating Art and Public Programmes (Distinction) through Whitechapel Gallery/London Southbank University. Their continued research interests include; Artificial Intelligence, Occult Practices, Queer Ecologies, Decoloniality, Transhumanism, Contemporary Performance & Visual Art.

‘The Seemingly Innocent Are Not Without Danger’. Photography by Eda Sancakdar - 2024

Sebastian and their affiliated projects have recieved funding from Arts Council England, the British Council, Greater London Authority, Creative Folkestone, Kent County Council, Inspire Lewisham, Roger De Haan Charitable Trust and Live Art U.K. as well as other charities and local authorities.

Video still: ‘Crossing’ at ]performance s p a c e [ - Deptford, London. Image courtesy of the artist - 2014

Some of their most recent activities include: re-performing ‘Phoenix’ and being in conversation with Tamsin Hong (Exhibitions Curator - Serpentine Galleries) at CT20, on the occasion of ‘Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light’ (2024), co-curating ‘Archipelago: Visions in Orbit’ at Whitechapel Gallery (2024/25), participation in the group exhibition ‘Pretty Doomed’ at Ugly Duck (2023), a joint exhibition with Alicia Radage (2023), and curating a series of solo exhibitions from June Lam, Rocío Boliver & Marcin Gawin as part of ‘FACET’ at VSSL Studio (2023).

Performance documentation: ‘Excerpt: 3 Reflections²’ at VSSL Studio - London. Photography by Marco Berardi - 2023

Additional recent activity has included: guest curating the ‘Intersect series’ at the Live Art Development Agency (2023), speaking on the symposium; ‘Art, Memory & Place’ at Turner Contemporary (2022), as well as performance of their live installation ‘3 Reflections²’ as part of FUTURERITUAL at the Institute of Contemporary Art, London (2022).

Installation view: ‘Working With Entities//Setting Intent’ at VSSL Studio - London. Image courtesy of the artist - 2021

Notable previous activity has also included: curating ‘PSX: A Decade of Performance Art in the U.K.’ (2021) on behalf of ]performance s p a c e [, exhibition of their solo show ‘Working With Entities//Setting Intent’ (2021), and curation of VSSL Studio’s inaugural programme; ‘Gathering in a Time of Plague’ (2021).

‘Wood Work’. Image courtesy of the artist - 2012

A selection of Sebastian’s exhibition history may be viewed through this link, and a comprehensive list of their curatorial projects can be viewed here. Subscription to their mailing list is through this link.

Mourning Call