Craft expert recognised in prestigious industry list

A renowned artist, curator and researcher at the University of Exeter has been selected among the ‘most talented and inspirational young people in the art world’ by a prestigious industry publication.

Dr Daniel Fountain, Senior Lecturer in Art History and Visual Culture, has been included in Apollo’s annual ’40 Under 40’ list for 2024 by its international panel of judges.

Each year, the international art magazine invites nominations from around the world on the most influential leaders working in the arts today, before compiling its list around a different theme or geographic focus.

This year, Apollo is focusing on those working ‘in the space between art and craft’ and celebrating “the next generation of leaders and innovators, whether they be artists, critics, curators, patrons and advocates, gallerists or entrepreneurs”, from across the globe.

Dr Fountain, of the Department of Languages, Cultures and Visual Studies, was chosen in the ‘Thinkers’ category for his research and art practice focused upon representations of gender and sexuality in contemporary visual culture.

“This is truly humbling recognition from my peers, particularly as my area of work is still emerging in the wider context of craft,” said Dr Fountain. “As a researcher, curator and practitioner focusing on queer craft, my approach aims to engage various communities and actively seeks to actively dismantle the binary of art and craft – I think that resonated with the judges.”

Among the experts who selected this year’s 40 Under 40 list were writer and historian, Dr Tanya Harrod; Curator of Modern Architecture, Design and Decorative Arts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Abraham Thomas; and Independent Curator, Hyeyoung Cho.

In choosing Dr Fountain, the judges praised the way they “make use of discarded materials and objects to explore marginalised identities… blurring the boundary between art and craft”. They also cited their leadership of events at institutions including the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art in Melbourne, the Museum for Art in Wood in Philadelphia, K11 Art Foundation in Hong Kong and National Museums Liverpool.

Paying tribute to Dr Fountain’s achievements, Professor Fabrizio Nevola, Head of Art History and Visual Culture in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Visual Studies, said: “This is fantastic and well-merited recognition for Daniel and the way their bold approach is helping to elevate the standing of Craft. Daniel’s research is breaking new ground in its focus upon gender and sexuality, extending to their recent work that powerfully contextualises queer craft in Britain since the 1980s. And through their practice, Daniel is creating both inspiring art and forging new connections with contemporaries, whose work is showcased further in the public realm as a result.”