CRUX@TPG
New Photographic Practices: Awareness to Impact
In its inaugural event at the Photographer’s Gallery in London, the CRUX Photography Research Network, supported by Arts University Bournemouth (AUB), will host a day-long event of impact-based presentations and discussions by activist photographers.
Today, activist and socially concerned photographers know that raising awareness alone does not effect change. New photographic practitioners seek to merge theory and practice and implement impact-based strategies in their work, ranging from participatory photography to public engagement and partnering with NGOs, non-profits, and even governmental agencies.
The thematic presentations will include the power of participatory photography, the value of personal work with a broad reach, and two different approaches to environmental activism. The stellar line-up of presenters includes Anthony Luvera, Paul Wenham-Clarke, Kerstin Hacker, Matthew Finn, Lauren Forster, Richard Lloyd Lewis and Michael O. Snyder with Michelle Bogre as our keynote speaker.
FREE BOOKING VIA EVENTBRITE
ZED NELSON, JAYNE JACKSON & AMEENA ROJEE
CRUX co-founders Paul Wenham-Clarke and Michelle Bogre will moderate the event
When: 1:30 - 16.30pm GMT
Where: Photographer’s Gallery, 16-18 Ramillies Street, London
Admission Free – book on Eventbrite
CRUX brings together creative individuals who believe in making work that matters about social and environmental topics and wish to use their practice to speak to wide audiences. In the first in our new year-long speaker series we are bringing together three photographers whose work resonates with CRUX’s themes.
Zed Nelson our Key Speaker is a renowned multi award-winning documentary photographer and filmmaker, particularly known for his impactful photo-books Gun Nation, Love Me and A Portrait of Hackney. Nelson will be talking about a variety of projects including his newest project and upcoming book, The Anthroprocene Illusion which is currently featured in the British Journal of Photography. In this new work, Nelson examines the fractured relationship that humans have with the natural world, revealing not only our collective self-delusion, but also a craving for a connection to a world we have turned our backs on.
We have two supporting speakers Jayne Jackson and Ameena Rojee who are rising stars in the field of photography. Jayne is a feminist social action photographer who uses social media to generate participatory action. Drawing on research from her PhD, she will be discussing how documentary/constructed photography can be used to combat discrimination and empower participants as part of the process of ethical, collaborative creation. Ameena Rojee is a photographer and writer who tells stories about our relationship with the natural world, adventure and the outdoors. A recent project, Crocus Valley, published by RRB Photobooks, is a love letter to Croyden, London’s most southern borough. She gives us an unexpected and romantic view of its beauty and wilder lands, views of Croyden seldom seen in the media.
The CRUX Photography Research Network comprises an international roster of photographic artists, researchers, educators, and theorists from a wide range of genres and backgrounds who address contemporary environmental, political and social issues. Unconstrained by specific genres, CRUX encourages experimental methods and emerging technologies as well as traditional approaches to image making with the goal of generating mass public engagement.
CRUX is based at Arts University Bournemouth (UK) and run by a core team of AUB staff, led by Professor Paul Wenham-Clarke, working with Michelle Bogre, Professor Emerita, Parsons School of Design, NY (US).
Speaker Bios:
Zed Nelson is a London-based, award-winning, internationally recognized documentary photographer and filmmaker. He’s known for long-term projects that explore contemporary society, and has been recognised by numerous photography awards, including the Visa d’Or (France), First Prize in the World Press Photo Competition (Netherlands), and the Alfred Eisenstaedt Award (USA). Nelson’s photographs have been exhibited worldwide, including at the Tate Britain, the ICA and the National Portrait Gallery. He has also published three books, Gun Nation, Love Me and A Portrait of Hackney.
Jayne Jackson is an award-winning commercial, theatrical, and empowerment photographer and activist. She is interested in using photography to drive social change through work that promotes health, equality and gender issues. Her most well-known project, Asking for It, raised awareness about victim blaming and consent in cases of sexual violence domestic abuse. Her documentary photography work on issues such as community, feminist issues and representations of male ballet has been widely exhibited and featured by the BBC, The Guardian, The Independent, Positive News, Simple Things, Women’s Own and Yahoo, to name a few.
Ameena Rojee is an educator, photographer and writer who tell stories about adventure, the outdoors, and the natural world. Her project, Crocus Valley, a love letter to Croydon, published by RRB Photobooks, was launched as part of Croydon's turn as the London Borough of Culture, featuring poetry by Croydon poet laureate Shaniqua Benjamin and cover artwork by local artist Bev Jones. Her work has been exhibited in the UK and she was included in Then There Was Us AND 2023, an annual worldwide selection of some of the best up and coming documentary and portrait photographers.
Any questions email: crux@aub.ac.uk