Photoworks is pleased to reveal the first four artists chosen for photographic residencies in Coventry, Stoke, Chester and Prescot as part of Historic England’s High Streets Heritage Action Zones scheme.
The residencies are for Picturing High Streets, which is a three-year project as part of the national cultural programme for High Street Heritage Action Zones. The photographers will use a socially-engaged approach, working alongside local communities, to create a contemporary portrait of England’s high streets between now and 2024. Starting in July, the four photographers-in-residence will work with local communities to reimagine the high street, producing images which will become part of the Historic England Archive.
To host each residency, Photoworks and Historic England have partnered with photography organisations across England, including GRAIN Projects, Open Eye Gallery, QUAD/FORMAT, Photofusion and local partners.
Users of the high streets and the community are at the heart of Picturing High Streets, and each selected photographer has a link to the local high street area.
The four artists are:
Tim Mills, Coventry
Tim Mills will be working with GRAIN Projects in Coventry and local partners the Historic Coventry Trust, Culture Coventry, Coventry University, Coventry City Council and Coventry City of Culture Trust. Mills uses photography and reappropriated archive material to explore and engage with communities and place. His work is often presented as installations within public contexts and outdoor locations.
Natalie Willatt, Stoke
Natalie Willatt will be working in her hometown of Stoke, with GRAIN Projects and partners including Stoke-on-Trent City Council, B Arts and the communities of the town’s high street and the Spode factory site. Willattt uses photography to provide access to the arts and to empower people to use creative practices to tell their own stories.
Suzanne St Clare, Chester
Open Eye Gallery is supporting established photographer Suzanne St Clare, who will be working with various communities in Chester from 2021-2024. Adding to this, during 2021/22, emerging photographer Ciara Leeming will develop work with a local community group. Both will receive additional support from Cheshire West and Chester Council.
Tony Mallon, Prescot
Open Eye Gallery is supporting established photographer Tony Mallon who will be working with Prescot communities from 2021 – 2024. During 2021/22, emerging photographer Lucy Hunter will also develop work with a local community group. Both will receive additional support from The Shakespeare North Playhouse.
Each of the four photographers will also benefit from mentoring support delivered by Impressions Gallery, PARC (Photography and the Archive Research Centre), Redeye The Photography Network, ReFramed and The Photographers’ Gallery.
The Open Calls for the remaining two photographers-in-residence programmes in Leicester (run by QUAD/FORMAT) and Tower Hamlets (run by Photofusion) will launch at the end of July 2021.
To apply, please visit: https://photoworks.org.uk/opportunities/
