Photoworks and Project Art Works have co-commissioned Anna Farley for In Focus, to make a new work for a solo exhibition. The commission is part of EXPLORERS, a three year programme led nationally and internationally by Project Art Works.

Using photography and sculpture, Anna’s commission brings methods of alternative communication to the forefront, by creating a mass of ‘infinity fidget cubes’. From hours of footage taken whilst wearing a GoPro camera, Anna extracts stills hinting to where, when and how her autism may be visible. Her work highlights the barriers and her needs in domestic, work or social moments. These then bind the cubes into objects for touching and experiencing the images using repetitive behaviours. The work is a reaction to her problematic experiences of the UK benefit system. The cubes attempt to establish visual responses to questions from forms and applications of her Personal Independence Payment and its impact on her life and those around her.

“Anna’s work is tactile and interactive, using photography in both an experimental and practical way. It’s been a great process working with Anna to develop this work and we look forward to audiences being able to experience Anna’s work at the exhibition.” – Photoworks Director, Shoair Mavlian

This project also included a series of inclusive Photography Clubs developed in partnership with three adult social care providers (Grace Eyre Foundation, Ambito Care, St Nicholas Centre in Lewes), consisting of photography activities for neurodiverse adults. Photoworks paired experienced artist facilitators with social care practitioners, asking them to work collaboratively to devise programmes that encouraged knowledge exchange and skills sharing. The artwork made during this element of the project is also on display as part of the In Focus exhibition.

ABOUT ANNA
Anna Farley is an autistic artist, advocate and trainer. Anna has worked with organisations including the TATE and is the design lead for their NEU Spaces™. Anna has also founded the ‘Autobiography’ Project, a fusing of analogue photography and individuals experiences of their autistic identities. Anna graduated from Wimbledon College of Arts UAL: SCULPTURE in 2015. She lives and works in London.

ABOUT PHOTOWORKS
Photoworks is a platform for contemporary photography. Photoworks’ programme includes commissions, new writing, participation and projects including the Jerwood/Photoworks Awards, Photoworks Annual and Brighton Photo Biennial. Photoworks is a registered charity, based at the University of Brighton and a National Portfolio Organisation supported by Arts Council England.

ABOUT PROJECT ART WORKS
Project Art Works is a visual artist-led organisation working with people who have complex needs and the people, systems and services that support them. They run a regular yearround programme from studios in Hastings for adults, young people, children and families. They collaborate with major cultural venues to deliver a programme of awareness raising, exhibitions, film production and inclusive cultural events.