Ernest Edmonds and Stroud Cornock began using computers to make art in Leicester in the late 1960s. This started an unbroken chain of creative innovation that continues to this day. However, this history is poorly documented and is not used to inspire contemporary artists and young people in the way is should.
In 2023, the Computer Arts Archive CIC researched and produced an initial history of computer art in Leicester, and now we wish to expand this work further. We will produce a new publication and exhibition of eight significant local artists. We will now also move towards our next goal - to use our city's unique history to inspire the next generation of Leicester computer artists.
The exhibition will run between April and June 2026. Will run talks and workshops to share our city's amazing history and contemporary computer art scene. We aim to instil pride in our past and inspire the future to ensure that Leicester remains and is nationally recognised as a Digital Art City.
What we'll deliver:
- Launch of exhibition of artworks by significant local computer artists.
- Thepublication of the exhibition catalogue.
- A programme of talks and workshops to promote computer art in the city
Why it's a great idea:
Creative inspiration can come from many areas, but inspiration from people in your home area, associated with places you may know and visit, has a particular value.
Most people in Leicester are not aware of the computer art history on their doorstep, and an important goal of the Computer Arts Archive CIC (based in Leicester, but operating nationally) is working to change this.
This project will be another significant step towards local people recognising and being proud of Leicester's unique computer art heritage.
However, this is not just about the past. At the Computer Arts Archive CIC, we believe that computer and digital art skills will be vital to the creative development and, ultimately, employability of people of all ages. In a world of Artificial Intelligence and robotics, it will be human creativity and cultural awareness that will enable people to thrive. We want Leicester's creative past to supercharge its creative future.
Steps to get it done:
- Installation of exhibition at Phoenix in Leicester (April 2026)
- Publication of exhibition catalogue (April 2026)
- Completion of talks and workshop programme (April - June 2026)
