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Drawing on people power
Artist JEREMY DELLER tells Louise Johnson why collaborators from all walks of life have contributed to the 'magic' of his new exhibition

Jeremy Deller's latest art exhibition is not an art exhibition. If that sounds confusing, it is because his new installation English Magic is a collaborative venture produced by people from many different walks of life, among them prisoners and steel band players, craftsmen and video technicians, painters and archaeologists.

All contribute to the finished product while Deller waves his magic wand and makes it happen. It is the opposite of the conventional art show when one man - it usually is a man - signs off his work with a flourish.

"Most artists have help," Deller tells me. "It's not a new thing. I just talk about it more. I have no technical talent from what I can work out, so I need help."

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