Emma Rushton and Derek Tyman

(b. 1966, 1965, Manchester, UK, live in Manchester)

Over the past two decades, Emma Rushton and Derek Tyman have established a reputation for producing exhibitions and projects as part of which they often invite others – artists, readers, musicians, members of the public, writers - to contribute to, or participate in their work. Responding to current government rhetoric surrounding work and welfare and the scapegoating of particular groups, their project Fear of the Surplus (2013-2014) was the setting for a programme of talks by activists, academics, theorists, organisers and campaigners to unpick conflicting ideas about labour, welfare and work, voicing and debating alternatives.

Recent solo exhibitions/projects include: Fear of the Surplus, The Tetley, Leeds, 2013-14; LIAR 2012, Sub Urban Video Lounge, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 2013; The Argument Is Not Finished And The Stage Is Still Being Built, Argument Vertoningsruimte, Tilburg, Netherlands, 2012; The Good Life, Lanternhouse Art Centre and Miterdale Forest, Cumbria, 2011; Flying Down To Moscow, Neues Kunstforum, Cologne, Germany, 2009; Piccadillyland for Art on the Underground, London, 2009.