Thursday 4 November 2.30-4.30pm
Jamboard
anonymous way to ask questions or things you’d like to know more about.
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Hello!
I paint, draw, write, make music and learn about how these things can help people be together.
I have worked supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people to make and share their art and music for over 15 years.
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I have played in bands since about 1997 (!)
Most of them have been bands or projects embracing a D.I.Y. ethic and involved with D.I.Y. scenes.
in 2006 I saw a band called ‘Beat Express’ play in Brighton.
I then tried to bring some of what I learnt from being in D.I.Y. bands to support the musicians I knew, worked with and others I was discovering.
Which eventually led me to start Constant Flux.
In 2018 the Goldsmiths' Fringe and Underground Musics Group published ‘D.I.Y. as Privilege - 13 point Manifesto for Musicians’
A one page print designed to talk directly to the D.I.Y. scenes I was a part of - for them to consider access and think about who was not in the room and not on stage and what they could do about it.
diy-as-privilege.com
This then turned into a full pamphlet going into more depth about the people and ideas that underpin the manifesto. Published by Rough Trade Books and called ‘D.I.Y as Privilege: A Manifesto’
Chapter 9 (pdf) - There is an audience for everything and ideas of what is ‘good’ music will always be political.
Pamphlet at Rough Trade Books.
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Also in 2018 I also had surgery on one of my ears, marking a step away from bands & music.
It created a refocus on visual art but still using sound within my work.
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BREAK
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Alongside and intertwined with my artistic practice I currently work for an organisation called Heart n Soul.
I am an Associate Artist working across all young people’s projects (10 - 25 yrs old). Focussed around a project called Do Your Own Thing. I also work with music technology on a project called SoundLab.
Do Your Own Thing at the Albany
Squidz Club
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Do Your Own Thing has collaborated with:
Tate
‘Never Bored’ at Tate Modern
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The London Symphony Orchestra
LSO with Do Your Own Thing Live at the Southbank
Music & Art Improvisation Live at LSO St. Luke’s
Feedback from Young People
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The White Pube
Online residency over May 2021
www.thewhitepube.co.uk
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South London Gallery
“I’m yours, you’re mine, stay curious” - Installation of the House of Do Your Own Thing in September 2021.
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Electric Fire
Combination of Do Your Own Thing, SoundLab, D.I.Y. as Privilege (and a busted eardrum?).
Working in lockdown. We met every week on Zoom from March 2020 and are still doing so.
Buzzin’ - EP released in June 2020
Three weeks ago!
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Thank you!
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Notes:
People-led practice - involve people in decision making from the start.
Not outcome based.
Create structures that allow freedom.
This supports people to have more agency and control and develop creativity independently.
Five key things to think about in creative projects:
- 👥 People
- 🏡 Environment
- ☎️ Communication
- 🤗 Belonging
- 🤲 Sharing