The Uses of Literacy

Jeremy Deller (born 1966)

Arts Council Collection

1997

The Uses of Literacy is a key early work where Deller uses his frequently employed strategy of working with particular interest groups and communities. Deller advertised in the music paper Melody Maker for material from fans of the Welsh band The Manic Street Preachers. The work consists of an informal 'display' of paintings, collages, drawings, books, poetry and ephemera donated by the fans. The installation examines the relationship between the fan and the performer, and questions notions of authorship and authenticity by reversing the usual hierarchical order and placing the work of amateurs in the gallery. The Arts Council Collection aims to be a repository of notable early works by outstanding British artists.

• Medium: mixed media (including pencil on paper, pen on paper, books, collage on paper, photographs, acrylic on canvas)
• Dimensions: variable
• Art Fund Grant: £20000 ( Total: £78,200)
• ArtFunded in: 2009
• Vendor: The Modern Institute

Provenance

Cabinet Gallery; Philips, 2008; The Modern Institute.

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