On Convalescence _with, together, jointly
On Convalescence is a programme of research, events and collaboration.
We are thrilled to announce a new programme of research, events and collaborations that we hope you will share with us.
To mark five years since Pier Projects launched, On Convalescence offers a period of review and reflection, as we reimagine what an arts organisation can do, who it is for and how we contribute to the world we live.
Thematically, the programme explores ideas of slow recovery, recuperation and repair, recalling the history of The Bartlett Convalescent Home that opened in Felixstowe in 1926 to offer rehabilitation from illness by the sea.
On Convalescence is supported by Arts Council England.
Artist in Residence:
The programme will consider ways in which the platform of an arts organisation can create new opportunities for artists and communities to creatively and critically participate in debates about individual and collective wellbeing and forge new ways of working together. Through discussion and a series of happenings and public events, it offers time and space to collectively reflect on what we need as individuals and communities to ‘thrive’.
The thinking and learning will be documented and shared as publicly as we can before becoming embedded in how we approach our projects in the future.
On Convalescence is challenging Pier Projects to work in new ways. To shift the existing commissioning model, rather than supporting a contemporary artist to create a new artwork, we are sharing this journey with an Artist in Residence to help us interrogate our approach, examine the core values which underpin our work and shape the events programme. The Artist in Residence is conceived as a true collaborator: part sounding board, part facilitator, part care-giver and part critical friend.
We will be looking back, forwards and sideways thinking about how Pier Projects might better serve community interests, deepen participation and support artists. This new approach to commissioning an Artist in Residence seeks to ensure artists sit front and centre of what we do and acknowledges the breadth of insights, knowledge and skills brought to communities, organisation, collaborators and place through commissioning.
After an Open Call for artists, we are delighted to welcome Samantha Jones and look forward to working together.
“Post Covid, the thematic of ‘On Convalescence_with, together, jointly’ resonates as an important and timely area to interrogate as an artist. This residency brings a unique opportunity to hold a transparent dialogue and test new ways of working together, in a phase of open experimentation within Pier Project to co-question their very ways of working with communities, builds upon my durational practice of social co-productions economies, commons and care.”
Follow along here and via Instagram. A public sharing event will take place in July.
About Samantha Jones
Samantha Jones is an artist, curator and researcher, whose doctorate examines her embedded practice within durational models of sustainable community wealth building.
“My experience of cultural, social, economic inequalities have driven my grass-roots co-created art activism to co-develop community led, sustainable strategies for change. In bringing these experiences, my purpose for the residency is to support Pier Projects challenge how they can conceive, develop and deliver their work with artists and communities”
Cultural, social, economic and gender inequalities drive her artistic practice, from it grass roots co-created art activism to international collaborations. Her practice tackles these issues by working through experimental and durational forms in the social productions of alternative models of; economic & environmental systems, public space, land ownership, wellbeing and democratic access to emergent technologies.
Samantha co-produced the development of ‘Homebaked’ a durational project in Anfield, Liverpool, which is an internationally recognised exemplar of artist led community urban development. She also initiated ‘Homefarm’ a community hydroponics lab and the womxn led ‘Homegrown Collective’, a resident led low carbon training brewery, utilizing technology to repurpose energy form the brewing process, recycle brewing waste, grow fresh ingredients and create a circular economy.
She is currently working with In-Situ to research the possibilities for collective forms of community ownership in the Town of Nelson, Left Coast; Grange Park to co-develop ideas for community led interventions in Blackpool and Bidston Observatory Research Centre as research producer of their’ Affiliate’ programme to support, explore and activate researcher led steering of BOARC.
Studio Socials: a series of four online artist talks that open out the thematics of ‘On Convalescence’ with artists whose work explores issues of reconciliation, repair and justice. Please check the Events page.
Artist Support Sessions: free one-to-one support sessions lasting one hour offering advice or feedback on whatever you feel your practice needs at the moment.
sounding board?
connections or signposting?
portfolio advice?
new opportunities - where next?
They are open to all but you are encouraged to visit our website to see if our approach may have the connections / synergies that would be most useful to you
WHERE? Online
WHEN? flexible over the next few months. We will endeavour to offer suitable timings around artists’ other responsibilities and commitments.
HOW? Email natalie@pierprojects.org outlining your interest, questions, ideal timing and any access requirements.
(Images courtesy of Samantha Jones)