How can socially engaged practice inspire structural change?

A conversation about socially engaged practice inevitably involves a discussion about the relationship of artists and communities to the structures that shape society. How can the incredible range of knowledge, experience and practice that artists, curators, creative practitioners, and communities bring to these projects be used to challenge existing power structures?

How can socially engaged practice inspire structural change? is moderated by Jes Fernie, independent curator and writer. Speakers include Nephertiti Oboshie Schandorf, producer, and Mat Jenner, artist and founder of TACO!.

All Constellations ° Assemblies will take place in The Hall, UP Projects’ digital participation space.

The Constellations ° Assemblies series is one of two strands of activities as part of Constellations, a free learning and development programme for artists, curators, producers, and practitioners active and/or interested in the expanded field of public art. The other strand, the Constellations ° Cohort, supports a group of ten practitioners to develop their practice, collaborate with others, access new networks, and contribute to critical debate surrounding the future of public practice.

Constellations is generously supported by Art Fund, Arts Council England, The Barrington Hibbert Associates Access Fund, and the Constellations Patrons and UP Supporters. To find out more please visit our Support Us page. Constellations is curated and delivered by UP Projects, working in partnership with Flat Time House and Liverpool Biennial.

Accessibility

Live captioning and British Sign Language interpretation will be available at this event. Should you require access to British Sign Language interpretation, please email info@upprojects.com in advance of the event so we can provide you with dedicated access links to the event.

About Jes Fernie

Jes Fernie (she/her) is an independent curator and writer with twenty-five years’ experience of working with galleries, architectural practices, and public realm organisations on public programmes, commissioning schemes, exhibitions and residency projects across the UK and abroad. Working primarily beyond gallery walls, she's interested in taking conversations about art and art-making into new and varied arenas. These have included lectures on buses, workshops with blacksmiths, performances at the end of the world's longest pleasure pier, up-cycling furniture classes for teenagers outside Asda, experimental performances by a choral collective in a Brutalist loading bay, lectures by candle-light in an 18th century church, and operatic performances in a barley field. She collaborates with artists on texts, conversations and projects, and often commissions experimental texts by writers for programmes she's involved in. She has worked as a curator, writer, and lecturer with organisations including Focal Point Gallery, Museum of London, Flat Time House, Serpentine Gallery, Firstsite, Turf Projects, Manchester International Festival, Seventeen Gallery, Milton Keynes Gallery, Matt's Gallery, St Paul's Cathedral, Goldsmiths, University of Essex, Lund Cathedral, and the RCA.She has worked at a strategic level advising on commissioning programmes and city-wide cultural activities with the GLA, Fourth Plinth programme, Tate, and Arts Council England. She’s a visiting lecturer at CSM, University of the Arts and is a board member of Matt's Gallery in London.

About Mat Jenner

Mat Jenner (he/him) is an artist who has exhibited nationally and internationally, working across art making, curating, studio and institution. In 2017 he established TACO! an artist led space in Thamesmead, SE London that is engaged with its local context and centres artist practices in the way it works and grows, supporting a dialogue between artists, audiences, community, and place. Mat has worked at organisations including Studio Voltaire, Forma, Grand Union and SPACE.

About Nephertiti Oboshie Schandorf

Nephertiti Oboshie Schandorf (she/her) is a producer of site responsive performance, audio and moving image works. Her practice is one that actively seeks collaboration and is informed by the formation of protective networks and cultural archives. Nephertiti has worked on large-scale and high-profile projects with leading arts organisations including the Manchester and Whitworth Galleries, Art on the Underground, Somerset House, the Singapore Biennale and the City of London. She is the Artistic Director of Peckham Platform, a creative and educational charity founded in South London, and a newly appointed trustee for Artichoke.