First Food Blog


The First Food Residency is an artists exchange between Mexico and the UK, initiated by Antonia and Anna Bruce in 2014. The focus of the residency is to build a creative dialogue between the two countries. The residency is open to artists from all disciplines, who are based in Mexico or the UK. Artists in residence are invited to research 'essential foods' from their host country, and are encouraged to meet and work with local people and other artists.

Debates around food sustainability are taking a grip alongside climate change, and educational institutions are starting to include relevant studies in the curriculum. This is an opportune moment to take a creative look at the first seeds, where they started and what they are now, in shape, form, influence and how they fit into our lives, at a real and symbolic level.

The First Food Artist Residency is proud to be an official project with the Mex/UK dual year and sponsored by Arts Council England

Currently there is an open call for artists to work in Oaxaca this Autumn. Please email us for further details

firstfoodresidency@gmail.com



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In 2014, Antonia and Anna worked together with three other British artists, Rose Arbuthnott, Stephen Moynihan, and Jessie Buchanan to produce the first stage of the residency in Oaxaca, Mexico. The artists were actively engaged with the local community, meeting with famers and scientists as well as artists and craftsmen to develop an understanding of the foods in Oaxaca. This culminated in two pop-up shows (FIELD), the second of which was a collaboration with local artists responding to the themes put forward by the First Food project.

Following the success of the first stage of the residency, the project has received arts council funding and is an official part of the Mexico/ UK dual year (2015). The dual year is a cultural celebration in both countries to ”promote better understanding between our societies.” With this support it has been possible to invite more artists to take part as well as developing relationships with creative partners including; The Tallet, the Museum of Rural Life in Reading, the Royal Drawing School and a continued collaboration with Centro de las Artes in San Agustin, Mexico (CaSa) for further stages of the project.


This summer the First Food Residency has been hosting 7 Mexican artists: Israel de la Paz, Marcos Hiram Rojas Sosa, Polina Porras, Roque Reyes Mendoza, Jesus Gonzalez, Sofia Galindo and Mario Castellanos. Nicholas and Vanessa Arbuthnott have generously awarded them accommodation and studio space at The Tallet in Cirencester and after an intense six weeks of work, the artists produced an exhibition: FIELDS AND TABLES.


While in the UK, the Mexican artists have had the opportunity to visit farms where they have learnt about different types of food production local to Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. They have also made creative ties with artists at Reading University and the Royal Drawing School in London, working alongside their students for study days and sharing some facilities.

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