Roland Young (b. 1953–d. 2023) exhibited extensively with ActionSpace in group exhibitions and through their offsite live art events, Part of It and Watch This Space for the Wandsworth Arts Fringe between 2011–2017. Other exhibitions include Outside In: Environments, Piano Nobile Gallery (2019); VITAL MIX: Assembled Lines, Studio RCA (2019); Art is Part of The Equation, Royal Academy (2019); Impact Art Fair, Block 336 (2013); Cut it out, Southfields Library (2008); Under Glass, University College Hospital (2008); Pigs Might Fly, Pump House Gallery (2006); and 18 Drivers, Studio Voltaire (2005). Young’s drawings are also held in multiple private collections.
Roland Young
An exhibition of drawings and works on paper celebrating the artistic practice of Roland Young (b. 1953–d. 2023). This is the first-ever institutional exhibition of his work.
Young was known for creating minimal compositions of intricate figurative drawings, depicted through delicately repeated abstract forms. His work finds conversations between various forms of abstraction, symbolism and figuration.
Many of Young’s works portray recurrent themes of parades, tournaments, crowds or intimate gatherings. In each, Young recreated meticulously ordered ‘line-ups’ often found in stadiums, theatre arrangements or military displays to craft unique and intriguing scenarios of celebration.
Drawing on multiple influences, Young’s works on paper become documents of memory and even more often, imagination, illustrating the artist’s generous desire to bring people together.
Young was a resident artist with ActionSpace at Studio Voltaire from 2004. This exhibition will mark the first anniversary of the artist's death.
Presented in partnership with ActionSpace.
Supported by the Liesma Young Will Trust.
ActionSpace is a visual arts organisation that supports learning disabled artists across London. They seek out and unlock talent, and create bespoke opportunities for learning disabled artists to realise their potential. ActionSpace has an exceptional reputation for providing long-term supported studio practice and delivering high-quality professional artistic development through mentoring, exhibitions and a network of partnerships with cultural organisations.
Photography by Tom Carter