COLLECTIVISM | Cultural Crisis and the Emergence of the Collective - Group Exhibition at The Bomb Factory Marylebone

May 6
2 min read

We are excited to announce our upcoming group exhibition, COLLECTIVISM, will open in our Marylebone Gallery on 21st of May, 6-9pm.

The art world has long upheld the idea of the artist as auteur, often framing artistic success through individual authorship, solo exhibitions and the mythology of singular vision. At a time of increasing social fragmentation and rising living costs, this model feels increasingly untenable. Sustaining an artistic practice alone has rarely been more difficult. In response, artist collectives have emerged as vital networks of support, offering shared authorship and new ways of working. COLLECTIVISM brings these approaches into focus, presenting work shaped through collective thinking and cultural exchange.

The exhibition at our Marylebone gallery brings together artists working across distinct contexts and geographies. Through our work providing affordable studio space and building a shared programme with artists, we’ve become increasingly aware of the financial and structural pressures that make solo practice difficult to sustain. In response, COLLECTIVISM considers collective working as a more viable and resilient model, allowing artists to share resources and knowledge while maintaining distinct voices.

Throughout the exhibition, the space will host workshops, talks, educational events and collaborative projects. These activities open up a wider dialogue around the ideas and values of collective practice, inviting audiences to engage more directly with the processes behind the work. The programme will also extend its reach through student private views and workshops, encouraging a more active relationship between artists, audiences and the space itself.

Participating collectives (Instagram):

@criticaledgecollective

@daviesmonaghanandklein

@breakfastlunchdinnercollective

Curated by: @pallascitroen and @marcus___nelson

The opening night will also feature DJ sets from: