Shadows of Combat
The creation of the prototype followed a period of deep research into how PTSD has affected various sections of society, requiring sensitivity and empathy in understanding of a sufferers' relationship with PTSD. A collaborative approach ensured that each stage of the design process was centred around the experience the prototype would communicate.
Key Collaborators: University of the West of England Bristol, Limina Immersive and Art Council of England.
VR prototype project - exploring PTSD through immersive story telling.
Traces
Series of hand printed photographs, using leaves to present relationships and memories, creating a link between subjects' and their locale.
Working with a medium that most had not previously encountered required specialist research, engaging at a deeper level to understand subjects' emotional attachment to the Black Country. By creating this work, subjects were not only able to see their sentiments represented, but also to reflect on themselves with a new perspective.
Shahre Farang
An intimate and nostalgic presentation of uniquely significant photographs based on subjects' memories.
Using a self-built traditional Iranian 'peep box' camera, this project relied heavily on engaging exiled communities in the UK. A key focus of the work is in determining and understanding the communities sentiments, in order to capture photos of important places to each subject. Global collaboration with an international group of photographers was an integral element of producing the work, translating subjects' feedback into a tangible component of the overall end product.
Key Collaborators: Art Council England, B side Festival, Counterpoints Arts, Journey International Festival.
Kamra e faoree
Hand-tinted photography portrait series of Portland residents in personally significant locations.
Using a self-built Afghan Camera Box / kamra-e-faoree, this project created space for subjects to connect with their surroundings at a relaxed pace. The output of this were hand coloured, timeless images that demonstrate subjects memories, thoughts, and relations to a physical space - resulting in works that viewers are greater able to empathise with.
Key Collaborators: B - Side Festival, Art Council England,
Stamp to Elsewhere
Creation of a unique representation of underrepresented demographics through a novel use of vertical screen printing.
In creating this work, an iterative research process was utilised - initially this was to identify and locate groups of "stateless" diaspora. The work presents the experience of displacement and forced resettlement through the creation of stamps for a fictional country which symbolises home. Producing the work deployed a unique and complex method, which required multi-agency collaboration, and in-depth stakeholder and relationship management.
Key Collaborators:
Leicester Print Workshop, Journeys Festival, Art Council England, BBC Radio Leicester.
BIOGRAPHY
Over the last ten years, I have created public engagement projects for institutions and organisations, using photography to tell stories and to engage communities in my process. More recently, I started experimenting with different materials, mediums, and technologies, evolving my approaches to interactive storytelling and designing immersive experiences, creating work that engages the audience in new ways.
I have worked with some of the leading arts organisations in the UK, including Tate Modern, Turner Contemporary, Platforma, Counterpoints Arts, B-Side Festival, Journeys Festival, and Format Festival over the last decade.
I am available for creative consultancy, mentorship, and teaching
Exhibitions:
2021 Traces, Living Memory Project, The New Art Gallery Walsall.
2019 Portrait of a city, Leicester collaborative work with Sibomana.
2019 Stamps to Elsewhere, New Art Exchange, Nottingham, UK.
2019 Stamps to Elsewhere, Journeys Festival, Leicester, UK.
2018 Stamps to Elsewhere, Look up Project, Journeys Festival, Leicester, UK. 2018 Kamre – e – Faoree, B-Side Festival, Dorset. St George’s church.
2018 Afghan Camera, Tate Modern, London, UK.
2018 Shahre Farang, Circulation Festival, Paris, France.
2017 Shahre Farang, Format Festival ”Habitat”, Small Print Company, Derby. 2017 Shahre Farang, Journey Festival International, Leicester.
2017 Shahre Farang, New Walk Museum and Art Gallery, Leicester.
2017 Shahre Farang and Uncertain, Outpost, Portland.
2017 Shahre Farang, Poole Museum.
2017 Shahre Farang, Dorchester Market, Weymouth.
2017 Shahre Farang, Bridport Market,Weymouth.
2017 Shahre Farang and uncertain, Bournemouth University.
2015 Uncertain, TATE Britain, Digital Sharing event and exhibition.
2015 Uncertain . Format International Festival Derby.
2013 Four Corners Gallery, Matt Roberts Arts Project space, London, UK.
2013 31º LCC MA Photojournalism Final Show, university of arts, London.
2013 SU Gallery, University of Arts, London.
Education :
University of Arts London , MA Documentary photography and photojournalism 2013.
Arts Council :
2021 – 2022 Arts Council England, Research and development, Augmented reality and virtual reality. 2018 – 2019 Arts Council England, Research and development, PTSD .
2017 – 2018 Arts Council England, Stamp to Elsewhere.
2016 – 2017 Arts Council England, Shahre Farang.
Commissions :
2019 Meet You Neighbour Installation, Derby Theater.
2019 Traces, Living Memory Project.
2019 PTSD Invisible Wounds ( R&D Art Council England )
2018 Kamera e Faoree, B- Side Festival 2018.
2018 ArtReach and Leicester Print Workshop for Journeys Festival International Leicester funded by Art Council England.
2017 Shahre Farang (Memories of Home) Art Council England.