A Bell is A Cup…
The First Round Proper | Curated by Stephen Carley, Kate Jacob and Sean Williams
Bloc Projects | Sheffield | 171 Eyre Lane | S1 4RB
A selected group exhibition in two parts at BLOC projects, Sheffield. April 2026. Featuring work by nearly 100 artists from across the UK and Europe.
▪️THE FIRST HALF 6-14 April 2026 | Open daily 12.00-18.00
▪️THE SECOND HALF 17-25 April 2026 | Open daily 12.00-18.00
A conversation about image making and contemporary studio practise that chooses to
identify itself as ‘painting’. What is this thing called ‘painting’ in 2026…
Painting is not; ‘doing the right thing’.
Painting is not; designed to impress.
Painting is not; his or hers.
‘Painting is; a breath on a mirror, a footprint, grease on a towel, blood on a stone, damp wallpaper, torn advertising, meaningless graffiti, melting snow, dead leaves, weathered paint, broken
windows, neglected gardens, a cry, a smile, a scream, defacement on defacement.’
John Hoyland.
Or, as Brian Clough once said;
If God had wanted us to play football in the sky, he’d have put grass up there…
A BELL IS A CUP… UNTIL IT IS STRUCK
In February 2025 we staged the first incarnation of this curatorial project.
That exhibition was truly international. Artists from across the UK and Europe.
Exhilarating and exciting.
A conversation about image making and contemporary studio practise that choose to identify itself as ‘painting’.
With THE FIRST ROUND PROPER we are adopting a very playful, innovative approach to the
curation. Pairing up work in unlikely and serendipitous ways.
Using pre-ordained curatorial ‘rules’ we have developed.
Think along the lines of the FA cup draw!
This afternoon welcomes a break from domestic football as our attentions turn to the FA third round, the ‘big boys’ are thrown into the mix with the football minnows dreaming of a ‘cupset’.
