This past Valentine’s Day weekend, Suzanna Minnis, Assistant Principal, had the pleasure of attending a special exhibition at Tate Britain, where Old Fish Gregor Petrikovič was invited to showcase his work. The event, Late at Tate Britain, was a vibrant celebration of love and nostalgia, coinciding with The 80s: Photographing Britain exhibition. The evening was alive with performance pieces, life drawing workshops, music, and dancing, making it a truly immersive experience.

Gregor's video installation, ‘Me Vs You’, which he collaborated on with Adam Cole, was projected onto the walls of the Francis Bacon / Henry Moore gallery. The work had a profound connection to Francis Bacon's iconic Triptych, August 1972, particularly in the use of manipulated figures and its exploration of human conflict and connection. Gregor's video, accompanied by his film stills arranged on the gallery floor, resonated deeply with Bacon’s work, inviting viewers to reflect on the complexities of human nature.

Suzanna managed to speak with Gregor during the event and reminisced about his early days at New Hall School. It was there, as part of his Fine Art A Level, that he was first introduced to the works of Francis Bacon—a moment that sparked his lifelong interest in both film and photography. Suzanna said "his work was a beautiful full-circle moment that showcased his growth as an artist, deeply rooted in the philosophy, photography, and movement that first inspired him".

Gregor’s journey as an artist is nothing short of inspiring. A Slovak-British artist, he works primarily with film and movement, exploring themes of human connection and alienation in an increasingly digital world. Gregor completed his MA in Photography at the Royal College of Art as a Burberry Design Scholar, and his films have been exhibited at prestigious festivals such as IDFA, Sónar Barcelona, and the Athens Digital Arts Festival. Recently, he completed a residency at the ISCP in New York and is currently developing new work through Film London’s FLAMIN Fellowship.

For more information on The 80s: Photographing Britain and the Late at Tate event, visit Tate Britain’s website here.