introduction

In recent times, writing about art in the major newspapers has become increasingly scarce. Of what they publish, little can be said to advance or deepen our understanding of art. The local art journals that carry reviews of exhibitions are pointedly unrepresentative of artists whose work does not conform to the conceptual-minimal mode favoured by contemporary art institutions.

A Public of Individuals is an art magazine which aims to offer an alternative view of contemporary art. The title of the magazine is drawn from a talk given by Ken Whisson to art students in 1985. In response to the dilution of meaning which has characterised the reportage of art in the mainstream media, Whisson declared that "the last thing the artist has need of is a mass public, the need, rather, is of a public of individuals, the relation of art is of individual to individual, I'm not talking about numbers or elitism, as large a public as you like, millions if you like, but each one of them as individual rather than as a fragment of the mass mind".

A Public of Individuals intends to foster dialogue amongst artists and those interested in art, by providing a forum for reviews, articles and correspondence. The survival of the magazine depends on support from its readers, especially in the form of written contributions. So, as well as enjoying A Public of Individuals, please consider contributing.