ActionSpace is pleased to announce our participation in ‘Art as Refuge’, a two-day conference hosted by The New Art Gallery Walsall and organised by Outside In, with funding from The Baring Foundation.
Our Artistic Director and CEO, Sheryll Catto, will be joining a panel discussion as part of the programme, bringing ActionSpace’s perspective on inclusion, visibility, and the importance of platforming learning disabled artists.
The ‘Art as Refuge’ conference delves into the life-changing potential of creativity in the face of adversity. Through a programme of workshops, discussions, and performances, the event will address questions about the intersection of art, identity, and mental health, including:
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How does art provide space, respite, comfort, escape, and collectively, refuge?
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Am I an artist? Who decides the role, intention, or validity of an artwork and its creator?
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What role does identity and intersectionality play in creative expression?
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Why is art made in the context of mental distress pathologised?
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Where is the voice of the artist in galleries, museums, and heritage collections?
The conference promises to be a platform for creative minds, artists, and thinkers to come together and explore the many ways art can offer sanctuary and become a powerful tool for expression and connection.
