Photography can help us to stay in the moment and take notice of the world around us.
A group of young people from East Sussex met online weekly to explore a range of different approaches to photography, helping them to stay connected with others during lockdown. This showcase is an exhibition of some of their work.
Participants were sent prompts in between live sessions to respond to photographically such as Reflections, Connection/Disconnection, Lockdown, Look for Light and Magic in the Mundane.
Participants then shared their artistic experiments with each other during the workshops and gradually began to connect through their photography.
During the live online sessions, the group were set playful photographic tasks and had the opportunity to try different processes by combining photography with sewing, drawing, or experimenting with collage using their own as well as found photography.
In this way, photography was used to explore feelings and ideas and help make sense of the world. The group activity served to support one another during the isolation of restrictions and lockdown. Participants reflected that being involved in something creative had a positive difference to their emotional wellbeing, especially during this stressful time.
The workshops were led by artist Annis Joslin, in co-production with Jack Tugwell and Dolmen Domikles from Sussex Partnership Trust NHS Foundation Trust, they investigated contemporary practice and tried out new techniques which informed their work.
We’ve been working in partnership with East Sussex Discovery College, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Culture Shift to deliver this project.
Learn more about these partners here:
East Sussex Discovery College is a place for children and young people in East Sussex to have new experiences and learn more about emotional wellbeing and particular mental health challenges.
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provide NHS care and treatment for people living in south-east England.
Culture Shift supports creative spaces where people can meaningfully connect and thrive. They build dynamic partnerships, fusing culture with community, business and education.
‘I like how you can make a photograph out of anything and you don’t have to do what everyone else does.’
‘Being part of Photo Club makes a difference because it’s something to look forward to, which is good at the moment.’
‘At the start of the session I was feeling bad, but now I feel better.’
‘Give it a go, it’s actually quite fun.’
‘I like being part of the photo club because I’m being creative and doing something with my time.’
‘It’s nice learning different ways of taking photos, I loved seeing everyone’s images.’
‘I felt bad before but now feel like I’ve accomplished something doing the course.’
‘When I come here and I do all this creative stuff, I then start making other things during the week.’
‘This isn’t like school, we don’t have to do it if we don’t want to.’
‘You might be scared of meeting new people. But it’s good getting to know people through the photos.’
Funded by Arts Council England as part of Culture Shift’s DisCo Arts programme
