CONTESTED DESIRES: Introducing Our Artists
As we enter a new moment in our political history, we believe the need for international collaboration is ever more important. Throughout this Brexit transition period and beyond, we will continue to look for ways to share journeys based on values of collaboration, trust and a joint sense of adventure.
We are therefore delighted to announce Nicola Singh and Akeelah Bertram as the two UK artists selected who will take part in our European project CONTESTED DESIRES, a transnational project exploring our shared and contested Colonial heritage and its influence on contemporary culture. Nicola and Akeelah are two of nine exceptional artists (from the UK, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus and the Caribbean) participating in this collaborative project from January 2020 until September 2021.
Based in the North East of England, Nicola Singh's practice is rooted in live performance and is made in response to contexts of location and place, encounter and dialogue, and to feelings and chance. She uses live performance as a kind of promise for shared honesty and close, careful listening. Nicola's current work is concerned with the way in which art and culture contribute to social definitions, understandings and attitudes towards race and racism. Within CONTESTED DESIRES, Nicola will use autobiography through improvised writing, movement and vocal practices to create and facilitate collective moments of being withand discussing these topics.
Akeelah Bertram is a cross-disciplinary creator who specialises in making immersive experiences. She has exhibited nationally and internationally since studying at the University of Leeds, Hochschule für Bildende Künste, (Dresden) and the Royal College of Art (London). Her work involves creating fluid systems for collaboration and intuitive use. Within CONTESTED DESIRES, Akeelah will use digital art to explore the idea of complex cultural narratives. She is passionate about effecting change and shaping present and future relationships between the many locations and cultures that were formed as a result of colonialism.
Next week D6 will be hosted by our partner LAC in Lagos, Portugal with our artists and partners for 'Heritage vs. Culture', the first of three workshops exploring the themes of CONTESTED DESIRES within the context of our partner geographies. The workshop will be facilitated by our partners ECCOM and community artist, writer and researcher François Matarasso. Following the workshop, LAC will host Akeelah as part of a joint month-long residency with Anna Carreras (ES) and Dimitris Chimonas (CY) to research and produce new work.
CONTESTED DESIRES is supported by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. Find out more about the CONTESTED DESIRES artists and the project by visiting our new project website: www.contesteddesires.eu
We are therefore delighted to announce Nicola Singh and Akeelah Bertram as the two UK artists selected who will take part in our European project CONTESTED DESIRES, a transnational project exploring our shared and contested Colonial heritage and its influence on contemporary culture. Nicola and Akeelah are two of nine exceptional artists (from the UK, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus and the Caribbean) participating in this collaborative project from January 2020 until September 2021.
Based in the North East of England, Nicola Singh's practice is rooted in live performance and is made in response to contexts of location and place, encounter and dialogue, and to feelings and chance. She uses live performance as a kind of promise for shared honesty and close, careful listening. Nicola's current work is concerned with the way in which art and culture contribute to social definitions, understandings and attitudes towards race and racism. Within CONTESTED DESIRES, Nicola will use autobiography through improvised writing, movement and vocal practices to create and facilitate collective moments of being withand discussing these topics.
Akeelah Bertram is a cross-disciplinary creator who specialises in making immersive experiences. She has exhibited nationally and internationally since studying at the University of Leeds, Hochschule für Bildende Künste, (Dresden) and the Royal College of Art (London). Her work involves creating fluid systems for collaboration and intuitive use. Within CONTESTED DESIRES, Akeelah will use digital art to explore the idea of complex cultural narratives. She is passionate about effecting change and shaping present and future relationships between the many locations and cultures that were formed as a result of colonialism.
Next week D6 will be hosted by our partner LAC in Lagos, Portugal with our artists and partners for 'Heritage vs. Culture', the first of three workshops exploring the themes of CONTESTED DESIRES within the context of our partner geographies. The workshop will be facilitated by our partners ECCOM and community artist, writer and researcher François Matarasso. Following the workshop, LAC will host Akeelah as part of a joint month-long residency with Anna Carreras (ES) and Dimitris Chimonas (CY) to research and produce new work.
CONTESTED DESIRES is supported by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. Find out more about the CONTESTED DESIRES artists and the project by visiting our new project website: www.contesteddesires.eu
