Bare Life was a multi-site contemporary art project, taking place in art venues, empty shop spaces and public contexts around Exeter city centre from 16-25 June 2023.

Initiated by students on the MA Curation course at University of Exeter, the aim was to reflect upon the harsh cultural climate we find ourselves in, post-pandemic, in the midst of a cost of living crisis, with war in Ukraine, a hostile environment for migrants, the NHS in meltdown, widespread industrial action and a growing alienation amongst young people from the workplace and consumer culture.

With a sub-title of ‘art despite everything’, each of the five curatorial projects in Bare Life engages with a different aspect of this contemporary moment in a spirit of optimism and solidarity, placing an emphasis on giving a voice to artists. The aim is to provide a positive and mutually supportive platform, working in collaboration with local communities and young people to envisage a better future.