A new Live Art installation created by artists living with disabilities takes place on Thursday at Manchester Art Gallery. The new production Affirmations is presented by Proud and Loud Arts and has been developed in partnership with the University of Bolton and Arts Council England.
The work offers a perspective on the impact of social stigma and personal identity from the uniqueness of each artist’s own life experiences. Affirmations is an addition to 2016’s performance of ‘Cells – a body of work’ developed in direct response to a news article describing a 140 percent rise in reported hate crimes against people with disabilities.
Affirmations takes place at Manchester Art Gallery
The exhibition in which members have collaborated with a team of highly experienced local artists offers a thought provoking and creative glimpse into extraordinary perspectives on the stigma associated with being different.
In putting together the live art installation, members have collaborated with Tom Hogan (director), Susan Swanton (movement director) and Nerissa Cargill Thompson (designer).
Speaking of her experience in the rehearsal room Susan said “Working with Proud and Loud Arts has opened up new ways of working for me, the company have challenged my approach to how I make work with artists. It’s very exciting and great to have the opportunity to experiment with movement and form without limitation.”
Affirmations takes place at Manchester Art Gallery
Audiences are encouraged to move around the room and observe the performances as they change and perspective shifts. Artistic Director Tom Hogan said “This is an exciting group of emerging artists who have developed a beautiful, and at times mind blowing, immersive performance. Each art work is a unique piece that pushes and challenges our sometime rigid understanding of identity. We are thrilled to be back at Manchester Art Gallery, it’s such a wonderful space to perform, the staff are incredibly welcoming.”
Affirmations is presented at Manchester Art Gallery on 8 March 2018, 7pm.
