For the last five years, the MAPS exhibition has been independently curated to ensure that the quality of the presentation matches that of the work. The response to this experiment has been extraordinary: according to the press, MAPS is a 'show not to be missed' (a-n Magazine) that's 'full of promising stuff' (Telegraph), 'beautifully curated' and 'a visceral delight' (Laura Noble, co-founder of Diemar/Noble). It has been ‘tipped by insiders’ as ‘the best showcase of new talent’ in London (the BBC) and recommended as a highlight of the London summer arts calendar (Financial Times). It has been a privilege to be involved in this new take on a degree show from the start and to see an annual exhibition, always bursting with fantastic new work, develop into a known arts event.
This year's graduates have again produced extraordinary work. The diversity and potency of their exhibits testify to the strength of the programme, and it was a pleasure to collaborate with these photographers and video artists while designing the exhibition around their projects. The scale of Ambika P3 is a rare luxury; covering 14,000 square feet, it has allowed the exhibitors to realise their visions for their displays without compromise.
All of us at MAPS 2011 are grateful to Daniel Campbell Blight for generously contributing an essay to the catalogue, and to him, Martin Barnes, Curator of Photographs at the V&A, and Lucy Soutter, photographer, critic and art historian, for participating in a panel discussion chaired by David Bate. On behalf of everyone involved in the exhibition, I would like to thank them, as well as our generous sponsors.
Elizabeth Upper
Curator
Elizabeth Upper is the Arts Editor of Above and a PhD candidate in the History of Art at the University of Cambridge. Having been behind exhibitions from Miami to Moscow to Milan, she has lectured on curatorial theory and practice at universities including Cambridge and Warwick. She has curated the MAPS degree show since 2007.
