In the Archive: Transfers, Templates, Translations with Alison Turnbull, Briony Fer, and Adrian Forty – 8 July 2025 @ 18.30

Tuesday 8 July 2025
18.30 – 20.00
Doors open at 18.00
8 Smart’s Place, London, WC2B 5LW

Join Briony Fer, Adrian Forty, and Alison Turnbull as they lead a discussion about the use of templates and transfers in architecture and art.

Alison Turnbull’s recent project at Pembroke College Cambridge (in collaboration with architects Haworth Tompkins) is the starting point for this event which looks at ideas around process in both art and architectural practice. Widely known for her painting, drawing is arguably the bedrock of her method. The artist discusses her use of drafting tools in her work in the context of wider interests. In particular, we look at the role of transfer in her work, and how it can be thought of in terms of a series of mediations and translations. We expand the conversation to look at the history of drafting tools in drawing, art and architecture. A variety of historical details, stencils and templates from the Drawing Matter collection offers a set of materials through which to think about their practical uses as well as their potential as speculative devices.

In the discussion, we aim to put pressure on conventional descriptions of the relationship between art and architecture. Or rather, explore other possible ways of imagining their connections and differences through drawing and drawing processes, both historical and contemporary.

Alison Turnbull is an artist based in London. For more information on the Pembroke College Project read Alison’s article on Drawing Matter.

Adrian Forty is Emeritus Professor of Architectural History at UCL.

Briony Fer is Professor of History of Art at UCL.

Purchase tickets for the event here.