In Focus, Pheonix Art Centre, Brighton. Part of the EXPLORERS Project, 2019
PHOTOWORKS, BRIGHTON
Photoworks is the UK’s leading development agency dedicated to photography. In collaboration with local, national and international partners, we connect outstanding artists with diverse audiences to champion talent and ambition. Our internationally recognised programme includes commissions, exhibitions, publishing, learning and large-scale public events.
previous projects
19 October - 3 November 2019 - In Focus at Phoenix Art Space
Photoworks and Project Art Works commissioned Anna Farley for In Focus, to make a new work for an upcoming solo exhibition at Phoenix Art Centre in Brighton.
The commission was part of EXPLORERS, a three-year programme led nationally and internationally by Project Art Works.
Anna, who is based in London, self identifies as a neurodiverse autistic adult and made a new body of photographic work reflecting on her own experiences. The work was created it with support from Photoworks and artist mentor, Becky Warnock.
Photoworks Director, Shoair Mavlian, said: “Anna’s work is tactile and interactive, using photography in both an experimental and practical way. It’s been a great process working with Anna to develop this work and we look forward to audiences being able to experience Anna’s work at the exhibition”
For the project, Photoworks approached commissioning a lens-based artist in a new and different way. The organisation shifted their commissioning model to allow wider access to the opportunity. They developed a different type of brief for how to apply and held open surgeries, created PDFs with easy to read and speech functionalities and included a neuro diverse panel in the decision making and commissioning process.
In Focus also included a programme of action research and photography activities for neurodiverse adults and young people. Artists and social care practitioners worked together in adult social care settings across Sussex to develop and deliver this programme of activity. The participating artists were Alejandra Carles-Tolra, Bill Leslie and Lynn Weddle. The art work made during this element of the project went on display at Phoenix alongside Anna’s work.
In Focus was supported by Arts Council England and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and was in partnership with Phoenix Art Space.
Find out more about the exhibition at photoworks.org.uk.
April – September 2019 - Inclusive Photography Clubs.
Photoworks commissioned Annis Joslin to run a programme of inclusive photography clubs across Sussex. Annie worked on a 5 week programme with the Project Art Works Accelerate Studio in exploring photography and introducing it to their art practise.
Commission Opportunity: In Focus. Make new work supported by Photoworks. This opportunity is specifically for a neuro-diverse adult with varying levels of additional needs, including those who may be non-verbal or require complex support. The commission is open to individuals for whom photography is central to their artistic practice. Find out more at photoworks.org.uk.
Freelance Job Opportunity, November 2018
Photoworks put out a call for an action research/training opportunity for artists interested in collaborating with adults who have additional and complex needs to engage with photography.
Photoworks appointed experienced photography facilitators keen to develop their knowledge, understanding and experience of effective, inclusive creative collaboration.
You can download this information in the following formats:
A PDF with text to speech functionality
Find out more at photoworks.org.uk.
Encounter, June 2017
Following their Awareness day, Photoworks’ Encounter workshops took place in June 2017, at the University of Brighton gallery on Edward Road, Brighton. Project Art Works designed the gallery space to offer several environments that could provide different experiences for neurodiverse people. In 4 workshops over 2 days, small groups of Photoworks staff worked together with Project Art Works artists and participants worked with a wide range of complex needs from the Scope Resource Centre in Brighton, Downs View Link College and The Platform. These sessions gave the Photoworks team an opportunity to explore the importance of non-verbal communications and environment.
QUOTEs
"We had a fantastic time with Photoworks on our Encounter workshops at the University of Brighton last week. More photos and experiences to follow, but this quote from one of our participant partner organisations sums up how it felt... "
"...I would just like to say a really big thank you. What an experience for all these people – they gained hugely from the experience... It meant so much to see people that often struggle in groups to be able to really enjoy and engage with this project. Such a joy!"
Awareness, May 2017
In May 2017, Photoworks became the first of our project partners to join us for an Awareness day. Taking place at our base in Hastings, the Photoworks team spent the morning exploring terminology, ways of working and the importance of mark-making with Project Art Works Director Kate Adams and Lead Artist Tim Corrigan and one of our experienced social care support workers, Dan Marshall. The morning concluded with the team creating a drip painting inspired by one of our makers, Sam. After lunch, the Photoworks team observed and then took part in a workshop run by our artists with some of our regular makers in our studio spaces.
