Artist Investigator.

2018 - 20

Based in the HU3 area of West Hull I was commissioned: to get under the skin of the place and people and see what others usually don’t. The commissioners were interested in exploring and questioning the potential of artist approach and what might be revealed if we trust an artist’s way of seeing and making connections. They believed the information would be different from standard assessments and would offer the potential to drive more relevant ground up activity. This role builds on a tradition of artists working within communities, references Asset Based approaches and see’s drawing as an act of enquiry.

In response I employed participatory and discursive practices in the delivery of community based activities such as facilitated events that brought together residents and community leaders to consider concepts such as culture and regeneration and ask whether joyful activism is a useful methodology for future work? The investigation has led to the initiation of a cross-area network, successful funding bids to support critical activity and the development of a ‘creative council’ who, with support, developed the bi-annual newpaper Encyclopedia of Us.

Encyclopedia of Us is a co-produced newspaper that aims to help people make hope more visible and celebrate their area. Every article has an accompanying ‘call to action’ – actions that aim to nurture and/or act as a clarion call for collective action. EofUs is intended as an engine for community development. I worked alongside the creative council to help create the paper.

With particular thanks to:
Lots of residents of HU3
Giroscope,
Orts,
YFC,
Chiltern Primary,
Anna and Aviv,
Life and Loom,
Scrapstore, Ground,
Selby St Mission,
Groundworks,
Sophie,
Vulcan,
Anna Hembury
Liz Dorton
Caroline Gore Booth
Martin Newman

Commissioned by
3 Ways East

Funded by
The Brignall Trust

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