Canary in the Coal Mine John Ledger: An Art/Life Story (Talk & Film Screenings)
Canary in the Coal Mine John Ledger: An Art/Life Story (Talk & Film Screenings)
11 April 2026
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To mark the final day of his milestone exhibition Straight A's: Anxiety, Anorexia, Alcohol, Ageing and Art at the Cooper Gallery, the Barnsley artist John Ledger will present a semi-autobiographical journey through his life as an artist through two of his film-works. People are encouraged to view John’s exhibition one last time, then come down to Barnsley Civic to listen to John discuss his work, whilst engaging with increasingly topical subjects and themes that his work explores, such as the connection between loneliness, self-hate, the politics of resent, toxic masculinity and political extremism.
The film works screened at this event are It’s War Then and Wall i and will be followed by a Q&A with the artists and a chance to socialise in the bar afterwards.
Some of the themes and content broached in these screenings are aspects of John’s work that was omitted from the Cooper Gallery exhibition. Some people may find the themes in this work triggering or inappropriate for a younger audience.
Recommended age 16+
Free entry. Booking recommended.
