For this year's Turner Prize, for the first time the nominees are made up of 
For this year's Turner Prize, for the first time the nominees are made up of 

collectives which the organisers have helped to inspire social change 
collectives which the organisers have helped to inspire social change 

through art. Hi everyone we are young Hae-Chang 
through art. Hi everyone we are young Hae-Chang 

Heavy Industries. Thanks for tuning in today as we 
Heavy Industries. Thanks for tuning in today as we 

answer that burning question: What is an art collective?
answer that burning question: What is an art collective?

There is within I think many different societies an idea of like 
There is within I think many different societies an idea of like 

the artist as somehow genius or somehow separate from the rest of society. 
the artist as somehow genius or somehow separate from the rest of society. 

But I feel that what's important is actually to recognize the artist as part of society.
But I feel that what's important is actually to recognize the artist as part of society.

I think that the term collective 
I think that the term collective 

is really helpful when we're sort of describing how we want to reverse the 
is really helpful when we're sort of describing how we want to reverse the 

traditional power dynamics. I think that the word collective is really a nod to 
traditional power dynamics. I think that the word collective is really a nod to 

that idea of … ...equity
that idea of … ...equity

We're the kind of people who you wouldn't expect to be an art collective. 
We're the kind of people who you wouldn't expect to be an art collective. 

If they're expecting us to call 
If they're expecting us to call 

ourselves “Art Boyz” with a 'z”. We will put it in there, we will put 'z' in.
ourselves “Art Boyz” with a 'z”. We will put it in there, we will put 'z' in.

The thing is we've always worked together or been around each other 
The thing is we've always worked together or been around each other 

because it's a family first. It was always that first 
because it's a family first. It was always that first 

and then it kind of developed into “hold up we're doing a lot of things together”. 
and then it kind of developed into “hold up we're doing a lot of things together”. 

We need to make this kind of like a collective and work more under one umbrella.
We need to make this kind of like a collective and work more under one umbrella.

We met in London back in 2013 and we started working together, developed a 
We met in London back in 2013 and we started working together, developed a 

collaborative platform and through that also started working with so many other 
collaborative platform and through that also started working with so many other 

people from different disciplines and from marine biology to botanics, economy...
people from different disciplines and from marine biology to botanics, economy...

The act of working collaboratively is also kind of generating the space 
The act of working collaboratively is also kind of generating the space 

that can bring many forms  of expertise to the table, 
that can bring many forms  of expertise to the table, 

because we do not have all of the expertise it 
because we do not have all of the expertise it 

takes or the answers to kind  of tackle these questions.
takes or the answers to kind  of tackle these questions.

We all felt a shared experience that our heritage and our positionality wasn't 
We all felt a shared experience that our heritage and our positionality wasn't 

really represented so much in the art world around us. 
really represented so much in the art world around us. 

When there's collective energy involved, there's actually more 
When there's collective energy involved, there's actually more 

momentum to change things, especially where equitable representation in the 
momentum to change things, especially where equitable representation in the 

art world is concerned. So I think that the main 
art world is concerned. So I think that the main 

aim is always to uplift each other.
aim is always to uplift each other.

Any vision I've ever had has been actualized, but also been elevated 
Any vision I've ever had has been actualized, but also been elevated 

by working with these two and working with other people and I think when 
by working with these two and working with other people and I think when 

you're working with your brothers it's like you're just confident.
you're working with your brothers it's like you're just confident.

The vision was for an egalitarian collective and it was there right from the beginning. 
The vision was for an egalitarian collective and it was there right from the beginning. 

Amber had this kind of principle that's often talked about of 
Amber had this kind of principle that's often talked about of 

you know the person that paints the door chooses the colour.
you know the person that paints the door chooses the colour.

And I think there was a real respect for for individual craft, so like if you were 
And I think there was a real respect for for individual craft, so like if you were 

the camera person or if you were the editor you were given incredible freedom to 
the camera person or if you were the editor you were given incredible freedom to 

make those decisions.
make those decisions.

I recognize, you know the role of individual artists. 
I recognize, you know the role of individual artists. 

I think what's really  brilliant when we think about 
I think what's really  brilliant when we think about 

collectives or collaborations  or socially engaged practice 
collectives or collaborations  or socially engaged practice 

is to recognize an artistic practice which is dialogic.
is to recognize an artistic practice which is dialogic.

We're in dialogue with our influences in the past. We're in dialogue with the work 
We're in dialogue with our influences in the past. We're in dialogue with the work 

we've made in the past. We're in dialogue with the work that each other is making 
we've made in the past. We're in dialogue with the work that each other is making 

and hopefully other people then dialogue with us, dialogue through us 
and hopefully other people then dialogue with us, dialogue through us 

and that's kind of the intention really.
and that's kind of the intention really.

A lot of different people bring a lot of 
A lot of different people bring a lot of 

different skills and it is through that sort of merging of 
different skills and it is through that sort of merging of 

different people's experiences, different people's perspectives, different people's 
different people's experiences, different people's perspectives, different people's 

abilities and talents that we're able to create everything that we do create. 
abilities and talents that we're able to create everything that we do create. 

So the individual within that is is really really special and important.
So the individual within that is is really really special and important.

You have your own drive obviously. You come here because of the vision that 
You have your own drive obviously. You come here because of the vision that 

you share but you're not expected to give up 
you share but you're not expected to give up 

yourself in order to merge into some sort of a collective pot.
yourself in order to merge into some sort of a collective pot.

One of the biggest benefits of being in a collective is like: As much as and 
One of the biggest benefits of being in a collective is like: As much as and 

I was saying that you're doing  the design and the colour 
I was saying that you're doing  the design and the colour 

palettes and I'm doing the visuals. I'm actually just learning from  
palettes and I'm doing the visuals. I'm actually just learning from  

both of them all the time.
both of them all the time.

It's a very particular kind of character I think that can work in a collective 
It's a very particular kind of character I think that can work in a collective 

you have to have a certain kind of degree of confidence in your own 
you have to have a certain kind of degree of confidence in your own 

identity, but you also have to not have a big ego.
identity, but you also have to not have a big ego.

Why make art together? Why be an art collective? 
Why make art together? Why be an art collective? 

As opposed to making it alone?
As opposed to making it alone?

You always have someone to tell that you're an artistic genius and since 
You always have someone to tell that you're an artistic genius and since 

you're all on the same team that someone seconds you. 
you're all on the same team that someone seconds you. 

It makes for a joyous collective!
It makes for a joyous collective!

It's not just that when you come together with other people that you're 
It's not just that when you come together with other people that you're 

automatically a collective. 
automatically a collective. 

I think there's definitely the processes of going through the agreements and the disagreements 
I think there's definitely the processes of going through the agreements and the disagreements 

and feeling those tensions, but the commonality being that you feel that 
and feeling those tensions, but the commonality being that you feel that 

there's a benefit of a collective practice.
there's a benefit of a collective practice.

I think there are all different reasons why people get together and work collectively.
I think there are all different reasons why people get together and work collectively.

The whole reason for being involved in those communities, those of us who recognized 
The whole reason for being involved in those communities, those of us who recognized 

aspects of life that we  found important to celebrate.
aspects of life that we  found important to celebrate.

That way of celebrating working-class communities was very important for us.
That way of celebrating working-class communities was very important for us.

We were there for the long  haul and people knew that. 
We were there for the long  haul and people knew that. 

And we were there during the minor strike. 
And we were there during the minor strike. 

We made films there and people will come to us now if they have 
We made films there and people will come to us now if they have 

something that they think needs to be made a film about. 
something that they think needs to be made a film about. 

They come to us to ask us  if we're interested to do it 
They come to us to ask us  if we're interested to do it 

and I think that, in that sense there is a collective, there is a wider collective.
and I think that, in that sense there is a collective, there is a wider collective.

Before we go further. We wonder: 
Before we go further. We wonder: 

Aren't we explaining this art-collective thing arse-backwards?
Aren't we explaining this art-collective thing arse-backwards?

Yeah, why start and stop with the question of art collectives?
Yeah, why start and stop with the question of art collectives?

Why give you our take on what an art collective is before giving you the 
Why give you our take on what an art collective is before giving you the 

prequel?
prequel?

Yeah, how about a little context?
Yeah, how about a little context?

For me, it would be hard to say whether there are less collectives or more 
For me, it would be hard to say whether there are less collectives or more 

collectives than I've operated previously.
collectives than I've operated previously.

There have been artistic  collectives from, if I think 
There have been artistic  collectives from, if I think 

about the different movements and the way in which art, let's say traditionally 
about the different movements and the way in which art, let's say traditionally 

is understood through collective movement. So signing up maybe to an 
is understood through collective movement. So signing up maybe to an 

artistic manifesto of, “this is what we believe art can do in the world”.
artistic manifesto of, “this is what we believe art can do in the world”.

It's nothing new. There's been a long trajectory of these kinds of work 
It's nothing new. There's been a long trajectory of these kinds of work 

collectives or collaborative platforms that have been going on for like decades 
collectives or collaborative platforms that have been going on for like decades 

or even centuries or it's at the very base of humanity if you want. We've 
or even centuries or it's at the very base of humanity if you want. We've 

always lived together.
always lived together.

I feel that also sometimes collective activity 
I feel that also sometimes collective activity 

can be invisible activity and  it's not always documented 
can be invisible activity and  it's not always documented 

or recorded and that they can come and go as well as the need to sees fit I think
or recorded and that they can come and go as well as the need to sees fit I think

There was definitely more understanding of collectives and 
There was definitely more understanding of collectives and 

cooperatives and different ways of working in the 70s and 80s.
cooperatives and different ways of working in the 70s and 80s.

And I think it became unfashionable post Thatcher. The kind of rise of yuppiedom and people 
And I think it became unfashionable post Thatcher. The kind of rise of yuppiedom and people 

having to sell. I mean partly just to survive,  
having to sell. I mean partly just to survive,  

people had to sell their individual practice.
people had to sell their individual practice.

If you're not in the right race you almost feel like you're not in the scene. 
If you're not in the right race you almost feel like you're not in the scene. 

There's almost like a pressure to be like constantly presenting work or 
There's almost like a pressure to be like constantly presenting work or 

constantly telling people that you're working or even constantly being out at 
constantly telling people that you're working or even constantly being out at 

events and doing social things when really as an artist there's a million 
events and doing social things when really as an artist there's a million 

and one things to me done at home in your studio.
and one things to me done at home in your studio.

It is challenging to do all of these projects without funding essentially for 
It is challenging to do all of these projects without funding essentially for 

us to grow and build and make this reach more people and do more good. 
us to grow and build and make this reach more people and do more good. 

There is a reality to the fact that you do need money to do that.
There is a reality to the fact that you do need money to do that.

We pooled all the income. So whatever we were doing, however well paid 
We pooled all the income. So whatever we were doing, however well paid 

we may be for certain jobs,  everything went into the pot. 
we may be for certain jobs,  everything went into the pot. 

I think the first wage you had was eight pounds a week. 
I think the first wage you had was eight pounds a week. 

You could live perfectly with on eight pounds a week.
You could live perfectly with on eight pounds a week.

But I think even when we had the best years in terms of funding, like 
But I think even when we had the best years in terms of funding, like 

the Channel 4. We would always overextend ourselves we would take on more and 
the Channel 4. We would always overextend ourselves we would take on more and 

bigger projects and do them for less and you know I think that self-exploitation 
bigger projects and do them for less and you know I think that self-exploitation 

is one of the common problems in collectives.
is one of the common problems in collectives.

As a collective we want to work with each other but sometimes we don't have 
As a collective we want to work with each other but sometimes we don't have 

the funds to do that.
the funds to do that.

And so we have to do a lot of individual work which we'll bring each other in on,  
And so we have to do a lot of individual work which we'll bring each other in on,  

to allow ourselves to do stuff which we can do together. 
to allow ourselves to do stuff which we can do together. 

Like you're trying to learn  new things, you're trying 
Like you're trying to learn  new things, you're trying 

to make new things and you're trying to 
to make new things and you're trying to 

work with your brothers and.. Also survive!
work with your brothers and.. Also survive!

The last sort of 18 months has really profiled and sort of raised the profile 
The last sort of 18 months has really profiled and sort of raised the profile 

of care and this idea of community and people looking after each other which I 
of care and this idea of community and people looking after each other which I 

think is really important i think that's a very big motivator for artists and different 
think is really important i think that's a very big motivator for artists and different 

groups.
groups.

I think we need to remember that, 
I think we need to remember that, 

as humans we haven't achieved much on our own, but much more through 
as humans we haven't achieved much on our own, but much more through 

collaboration and kind of setting up frameworks in societies that enabled 
collaboration and kind of setting up frameworks in societies that enabled 

kind of big movements to happen throughout history.
kind of big movements to happen throughout history.

I believe in humanity's capacity for change. Almost, like weirdly, it's kind of grown in the 
I believe in humanity's capacity for change. Almost, like weirdly, it's kind of grown in the 

last few years despite everything happening around me.
last few years despite everything happening around me.

You look at the world that  we are within arm's distance 
You look at the world that  we are within arm's distance 

from being in and you look at where we are and it does take people being bold 
from being in and you look at where we are and it does take people being bold 

to say actually “this is what I believe, this is what I see, this is what I feel”.
to say actually “this is what I believe, this is what I see, this is what I feel”.

Hopefully it can spark a conversation where we decide that actually we're 
Hopefully it can spark a conversation where we decide that actually we're 

stronger together and let's try and make a world where we all have a place in it. 
stronger together and let's try and make a world where we all have a place in it. 

Stronger together!
Stronger together!

We thought that we would probably just 
We thought that we would probably just 

fade out once the kind of old guard were gone, then it would fade away because 
fade out once the kind of old guard were gone, then it would fade away because 

there wasn't anyone coming along in the next generations that were interested. 
there wasn't anyone coming along in the next generations that were interested. 

But now it's very different because there is definitely that interest.
But now it's very different because there is definitely that interest.

The work of the collective I think is never really done. Because it could be the case that 
The work of the collective I think is never really done. Because it could be the case that 

you have a collective that kind of comes together. You know finds the impetus and the 
you have a collective that kind of comes together. You know finds the impetus and the 

energy to work together, to produce things together.
energy to work together, to produce things together.

But it feels as if there is a kind of lifespan. 
But it feels as if there is a kind of lifespan. 

And so where one collective might disband and go on to do other things and 
And so where one collective might disband and go on to do other things and 

that happens for many different reasons. You often find another collective emerging.
that happens for many different reasons. You often find another collective emerging.

Many times we are working with  things and then you realize 
Many times we are working with  things and then you realize 

how much input you are getting from other people, other things around you. 
how much input you are getting from other people, other things around you. 

So it's also interesting to think like, maybe you are already a collective 
So it's also interesting to think like, maybe you are already a collective 

without knowing it or without realizing it.
without knowing it or without realizing it.