21 - 22 April 2023
This two-day conference initiated by Autograph explores the politics of engagement and consider what a rights-focused approach to arts participation looks like. It offers radical ways to think differently about art, activism, social justice, care and community. It brought together those interested in socially engaged creative practice, diverse voices from arts, politics, academia, policy, community and campaigning. The conference took place across venues in Peckham, South East London. Each day began with two keynotes followed by activations including workshops, provocations, participatory installations, and a walk.
Co-coveners:
Ali Eisa and Livvy iMurdoch (Autograph), Daniel Sturgis, Renee Odjidja, Jerome Ince-Mitchell and Gabrielė Grigorjevaitė (Camberwell UAL), Harriet Vickers, Lucien Sone Ebongue and Paul Crook (South London Gallery).
Rebecca Omonira - Oyekanmi, keynote speaker and investigative jounalist - Investigation, Collaboration, Storytelling
Michelle Williams Gamaker, keynote speaker and artist - From Fictional Activism to Fictional Revenge: Seeking Narrative Reparations through Filmmaking
Michelle Williams Gamaker and Rebecca Oyekanmi - Omonira in conversation, hosted by Ali Eisa
Charli Payne Red, White and... Blue Magic? A participatory installation and artist-led workshop on Black British Identity and Hair
Renee introduces Day 2
Dr. Charmaine Brown - The Gentrification of Peckham and Black Urban Removal Worldwide - A Guided Walk
Dr. Charmaine Brown - The Gentrification of Peckham and Black Urban Removal Worldwide - A Guided Walk
Albinia Stanley of Citizens UK - Community Organising, Power and Negotiation: A Workshop on Building Power
Barby Asante, keynote speaker and artist - This is for Us: On-doing Undoing and How we Endure
Dr. Gurnam Singh, keynote speaker, academic and activist - A deep dive into diversity, dialectics and (de) coloniality
Dr. Gurnam Singh and Barby Asante, hosted by Renee
Soapbox Provocations: Hannah Kemp - Welch
Ajamu, Jason Okundaye and Bernice Mulenga - A panel discussion exploring queer pleasure, photography and visual activism in the archive
Colours of Art School - "What are the words you do not have yet?" A manifesto writing workshop
Images: Jadon Cobb