A Smaller Sound, A Bigger Crowd
IAN GILES was born in Gloucester in 1985, he lives and works in London.
Queer narratives and collective memory shape Ian Giles’ films, performances and social practice. His collaborative approach often centres around the staging of participatory events and re-enactments; these works celebrate community, often blending archival research with personal testimonies and shared histories.
He completed his BFA at Chelsea College of Arts and his MFA at the Slade School of Fine Art, UCL.
Selected exhibitions, Performances and screenings include: Come Togethers, a workshop at Cubitt, London [2025] ; Middlesbrough Collection: Soft Structures at MIMA, Middlesbrough [2023/24] ; ‘On Railton Road’ at Museum of the Home, London [2023]; ‘a Clear comfort’ at van gogh House, London [2023] ‘A Reflection in Time’ commissioned by MIMA and broadcast on BBC Radio [2023] ; ‘The London Open’, The Whitechapel Gallery, London [2022] ; ‘On Railton Road’, supported by the Jerwood New Work Fund [2021] ; 'After BUTT', Kunstnerforbundet, Oslo [2020] ; 'Please Divide In Groups of Two or Three', KV Leipzig [2019] ; 'Outhouse', Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge & Firstsite, Colchester [2019] ; ‘Studio Four’, OUTPOST, Norwich [2019] ; ‘Trojan Horse / Rainbow Flag’ presented by Gasworks at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, London [2019] ; 'After BUTT' at MoMA PS1 during the NY Art Book Fair, New York [2018] ; 'Video Club: Sex Talks', Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam [2018] ; 'After BUTT', Chelsea Space, London [2018]. His work has also been shown at Harvard University, Glasgow International, the Chisenhale Gallery and Grand Union.
His work has been funded by Arts Council england, Art Fund, The Elephant Trust, Arts and Humanities Research Council, The Jerwood Foundation and a-n Artists Bursaries.
Ian was a New Geographies commissioned artist [2018/20] his resulting performance and installation was acquired by Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery Collection with the support from the V&A Purchase Grant Fund. he was an inaugural winner of the Shannon Michael Cane Award [2018] presented by Printed Matter, New York. He was awarded a Production Bursary by Spike Island and The Centre For Moving Image Research [2016]. Residencies include Cambridge School of Art [2023] and Hospitalfields [2017]. He was a cohort member of constellations [2023/24] a programme Curated by UP Projects in partnership with Flat Time House and in association with Liverpool Biennial. upon graduating the Slade he was a LUX Associate Artist [2012/13].
He has been a visiting artist and lectured at Chelsea College of Arts, Cambridge School of Art, Camberwell College of Arts, Birmingham School of Art, City University London and University of Cambridge Department of Architecture.
His work has been featured in and reviewed by the Guardian, Frieze, Artforum, Hyperallergic and on the BBC.