Bound Together

To observers, the art world remains an intimidating sphere – not by accident, as it also profits from a collective apprehension of its self-perpetuated exclusivity. As artists battle for recognition and space within the industry, there’s a reckoning with how best to counter these shared issues. With the knowledge that shining within one’s own right is of course advantageous to your practice, artists who have typically found themselves on the cusp of the scene are taking a step towards a more collective attitude – one that recognises the power of numbers while also understanding the need to maintain individual identity. 

Since its inception back in 2017, Binder of Women has presented a solution to these mutually agreed-upon art world frustrations. Conceptualised by LA-based painter Hilary Pecis, Binder of Women works as an artist-led platform for contemporary artists to directly share and sell their work. Operating as an independent platform, the Binder has since been brought to London in 2022 by artist Pia Pack and this month presents their fourth iteration of the portfolio. Made up of ten uniquely brilliant female artists, the Binder consists of a set of limited-edition A4 prints and is a true feast for the eyes. Featuring a plethora of techniques – woodblock prints, hard ground etching, digital collage and more – the Binder represents a tangible microcosm of a more progressive artworld, one in which female artists, both established and just starting out, coexist in a singular space. Consider the portfolio your own personal gallery, delivered right into your hands and rooted in a truly admirable ethos. 

The Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair will feature the newest Binder at the event this November with Bristol-based artist Pia Pack also participating in a live panel discussion. Ahead of the print fair, we caught up with Pia to chat about the Binder’s curation and what it means for an artist to balance the line between the individual and the collective. 

When curating the binders, is there a common thread that you try to identify that allows you to tie these female artists and their work together?

The common thread that binds us is that we are all artists committed to our individual investigations into making art, and a shared belief that there is opportunity for artists to thrive alongside the traditional gallery model.

How has this year’s Binder evolved from the previous?

In technical terms, the 2022 Binder was ten unique works on paper by ten female artists and this year's Binder is ten limited edition prints on paper by ten female artists.The big jump this year, though, is that the Binder is created in conjunction with Cura Art & Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair - an art fair that shares our ethos of disrupting the status quo.

With the confirmation that the Binder of Women will have their first show in 2025, how does it feel as an artist but also as an organiser of the initiative to be able to open this space to a wider audience? 

It feels really good - all of the well-known artists I admire have worked alongside other artists in some capacity, many as teachers and mentors but also as facilitators of artist-led galleries and initiatives. Hilary Pecis, Laura Owens, Adrianne Rubenstein, Eve Fowler, Rebecca Morris, Phyllida Barlow, Miriam Schapiro and my all-time favourite Pat Passlof, to name a few.  Many of the Binder artists are also mentors & teachers.

How does Binder of Women disrupt the conventional contemporary art market?

The aspirational but dysfunctional gallery model does not support enough artists - it’s a distracting elusive concept that even when reached, doesn’t necessarily deliver.  It’s important to push back against this narrow marketplace, to present other possibilities and open up the art world for more artists to thrive - this benefits the artists, the buyers and also the galleries. A healthier, more robust art world ecosystem will ensure that the arts remain at the centre of all of our lives.

At the end of the month you’ll be talking at the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, how do you tackle the huge responsibility of supporting other artists while also maintaining your own practice?

The concept of an art collective is not new and with the art market being more competitive than ever it makes sense to team up with other artists to create opportunities together. Within the Binder we each have our own strengths in terms of admin, writing text, curatorial ideas, connecting dots and sparking experimentation - responsibility is shared. During the day, for me personally, I have the energy and mental clarity to focus on making my own art work, and in the evening I then work on the Binder with a more reflective approach.

The Binder of Women no.4 is now available to purchase here. Featuring artworks from Shannon Bono, Alice Browne, Gabriella Giroletti, Katherine Jones RA, Hannah Knox, Molly Martin, Daisy Nutting, Pia Pack, Amy Steel and Hannah Tilson

The Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair will run from November 21-24