TheWalking Artists Network (WAN) is an international network dedicated towalking as a critical and artistic practice.[1] It reflects an increased interest inwalking art and the growth of the field.[2][3][4][5][1] Based at theUniversity of East London, it has over 700 members from across the globe (though the majority of members are based in theUnited Kingdom).[6] The network maintains an active email discussion community throughJISCmail.[7]
In late 2007 a small group of artists in centralLondon invited ‘all those who are interested in walking as acritical spatial practice’ to its attend the first meeting of the WAN.[8] It was further developed whenClare Qualmann and Mark Hunter successfully bid for Arts and Humanities Research Council funding in 2011.[5][9] This facilitated the international development of the network and allowed it to expand membership, develop a website and fund the Footwork research group.[1]:80
The Walking Artists Network works 'on the basis of events that having walking at their core (rather than arranging things at which people sit and listen to talking about walking)'.[1]:80 This has resulted in 'a variety of walking based initiatives' that bring 'people together to walk'.[1]:80
Step by Step was an interdisciplinary seminar series at the University of East London, organized by Clare Qualmann andBlake Morris. It brought together artists and academics whose work engaged with the practice of walking, includingKubra Khademi,Anna Minton andSara Wookey.[10][1]:80
In 2014, the Walking Artists Network collaborated with Airspace Gallery inStoke-on-Trent to produce The Walking Encyclopaedia (2014), a gallery exhibition and online archive of walking practices that includes more than 150 walking practitioners and artworks.[11]
In 2015 Triarchy Press publishedWays to Wander, a collection of walk suggestions, experiences, techniques and case studies by members of the Walking Artists' Network.[12] The book was an 'output of the AHRC funded 'Footwork' project, and edited by Qualmann andClaire Hind.[13]
In 2016 Qualmann andAmy Sharrocks curated WALKING WOMEN, 'a series of walks talks and workshops that featured over forty women artists working with walking in a variety of media.'[1]:80 The event featured two programmes of work atSomerset House, London and Forest Fringe, Edinburgh.[14]
Artists presenting their work includedJennie Savage, Sharrocks,Deirdre Heddon, Kubra Khademi,Louise Ann Wilson,Rosana Cade,The Walking Reading Group on Participation,Monique Besten and Alison Lloyd. TheLive Art Development Agency published a guide toWALKING WOMEN following the events. A radio programme featuring artists involved in the programme was broadcast onResonance FM in July 2016.[15]
