Photoworks and The Ampersand Foundation are delighted to announce Matthew Arthur Williams as the 2024 Ampersand Photoworks Residence Artist at Wigwell Lodge in Derbyshire in the Midlands. This annual residency and professional development opportunity aims to encourage creativity, collaboration and innovation for artists working with photography in a rural area.
Born in London in 1989 and based in Glasgow, Matthew Arthur Williams is a multidisciplinary artist, photographer and DJ known for his collaborative approach. His work, which often incorporates photography, moving image and sound, explores themes of representation and memory, with a focus on uncovering hidden narratives.
During his residency at Wigwell Lodge, Williams plans to delve deeper into the realms of collaboration and the black community, and over the course of the residency will invite fellow artists and collaborators to join him in rural Derbyshire for discussions and collaborations. Having family connection to the Midlands, Williams will further investigate institutional archives from the area combined with personal and private archives outside of the institution.
Matthew Arthur William was nominated by Niki Russel, Director at Primary, an artist-led contemporary visual arts organisation, and charity based in Nottingham.
The selection process for the 2024 residency involved arts institutions and galleries across the Midlands, including Derby QUAD, Eastside Projects, Graves Gallery, Sheffield, New Art Exchange, Nottingham Contemporary and Primary.
Previous artists selected for the residency include Freddy Griffiths in 2020, Mónica Alcázar-Duarte in 2021 and Charlie Fitz in 2023.
The Ampersand Foundation is a UK grant-awarding trust dedicated to supporting the visual arts. It was founded in 2011 by businessman, collector and philanthropist Jack Kirkland, and is run by CEO Flor Souto. Since that time, it has awarded millions of pounds in grants to art institutions and visual art projects. The Foundation is focused mainly on supporting institutions and projects within the United Kingdom.
Photoworks champions photography for everyone. We are an international platform, global in reach, and have provided opportunities for artists and audiences since 1995. We do not have a physical venue, but our online channels are always open. Our programme brings new experiences to audiences and opens up new ways to encounter photography. Photoworks is a registered charity and the only organisation with a national remit for photography in England. Our work is supported by public funding through Arts Council England’s National Portfolio.
