In conversation with artist Les Bicknell

Les Bicknell is a very experienced community artist, quite apart from his own teaching and studio practice. He has ventured into myriad communities across the country to make thought provoking work. Experience which has prepared him for this task. ‘POWER’ his show at Snape Maltings in Suffolk chronicles his first year in residence, it refuses to be intimidated and walks on a tightrope between critical analysis and wry humour. Witty, knowing, dark and sometimes uncompromising, Les has managed to celebrate the worker, comment on brutal ‘progress’ and probe the politics. His show at once mourns loss and pokes bureaucratic processes in the rib. I was one of the worried when he took on the job, having seen this show I think he is one of the few that could have taken this job on and come through the other side. Navigating a tricky path between toxic funders and friends, construction and community!

Laurence Edwards, Artist