Residencies Curator at Camden Art Centre.

Please tell us about yourself

I have been Residencies Curator at Camden Art Centre for the last 10 years. The programme offers a non-outcome based period of research for artists to develop their work with the support of an institution and peers.

I have been lucky enough to be given the opportunity to commune with artists for a living.  My role acts as a support structure, stewarding artists and their practice from anywhere between 1 month – a year, although more often this becomes an ongoing relationship beyond their residency with its ebbs and flows of conversation.

What was your journey into the arts?

I trained as a printed textile designer and when moving back to London came into contact with group of cultural workers who were striving to change the landscape of art institutions particularly for people of colour and LGBTQI+ communities. What was perhaps a series of chance of encounters, for me has set a benchmark for alternative ways of inhabiting this world and the interactions we can foster within it.

What inspires you?

Communal gatherings over food, music and growing.

Why should people join CVAN London?

There is need for change and exchange in the arts sector and any organisation that is looking to meaningfully make systemic change should be embraced.

What are your goals for CVAN London?

Understanding the impact and harm that can be caused by the language of policy and dismantling my ways of writing with support from my peers.

What is one piece of advice or learning that resonates with you right now as part of the AREVA writers room?

It takes a village to raise a child’ and unless as cultural workers we actively champion together for a change in practices within the institutions we work, it will be that much harder to foster an environment of care and creativity for ourselves and those we work amongst.

What's coming up / what are you working on?

I am really excited to be welcoming a wonderful new residency artist Ayesha Hameed to Camden Art Centre in September.  She will take up the next Studio Residency at the Centre which means I get the pleasure of working closely with her and her practice over the next 9-months. Her work explores legacies of indentureship and slavery through the figures of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean.

A favourite art moment in London:

Listening to Ishmael by Abdullah Ibrahim in a deep listening session hosted by Aditi Jaganathan as part of Kwame Lowe and Arman Nouri of Kin Structures beautiful and thoughtful programme Where Pathways Meet at their current home at The Soanes Centre. Setpoint London East are currently under threat of eviction having stewarded The Soanes Centre site in Mile End for thirty years. Kin Structures are currently working alongside Setpoint and their local community to keep this enriching and generous project going.