DISCLOSURE / The covert world of the artist's assistant

CHART gallery is pleased to be presenting artworks by eight contemporary artists who also assist in the production of work by some of the leading names on the contemporary art scene. This exhibition features diverse work by high calibre artists who whilst developing their own careers have worked for established names on the contemporary art scene including Damien Hirst, Simon Patterson, Raqib Shaw, Keith Tyson, and others we cannot name, due to confidentiality agreements. The world of the artist's assistant, although historically a time-honoured tradition is still shrouded in secrecy and debates of exploitation, originality and authorship. However it is a role that can be seen to assist in-demand artists in the supply and demand of a global art market whilst also providing the assistant with vital insight and opportunities cementing their own careers as future established artists. Many leading names have been assistants themselves at certain points in their careers- for example Jake and Dinos Chapman assisted Gilbert & George, Rachel Howard assisted Damien Hirst. For some the role of assistant is brief as success quickly follows. This show presents artwork and statements about the nature of each artist's practice whilst addressing the concepts of the role of both artist and artist's assistants as enablers to each other's work. Artist Simon Patterson (The Great Bear exhibited at Saatchi 'Sensations 1997, short-listed for the Turner Prize 1996), will be writing a foreword to the exhibition.