SUMMER 2026 NEWS UPDATE
It takes me so long to write my quarterly e-news that I’ve decided to start sharing it here too. If you want to sign up for it to go straight in your inbox, you can do that in a few seconds here. Otherwise, read on!
Work selected for LA1 Shorts Film Festival screening
One of my cyanotype animations was selected for screening at the LA1 Shorts Film Festival at the end of May. It was great to meet other film makers at the Meet and Greet prior to the screening at The Dukes and to find out more about the film world which is all rather new to me. The film was made as a music video for Pyramid Eyes track ‘Sunrise Over Old Earth’ from their album ‘Awake In Deep Time’, out now on Castles In Space subscription library. You can read more about the selection and watch my short film here.
Light art developments
I completed the Light Lab programme with LightPool back in February having successfully received R&D funding to further develop my light art ideas. You can read more about my experience and takeaways from the programme here.
Since then:
I pitched a new cyanotype animation idea to two light art festivals in the north, and have been awarded a co-commission (hurrah!). I can’t say what or where yet, but keep an eye on my socials later this summer...
I applied to Arts Council England for R&D funding to work with the Sight Loss Council in Greater Manchester to prototype ideas around inclusive light artworks. Unfortunately my application wasn't successful, but I've built some brilliant new contacts in Greater Manchester with the blind and visually sighted community, and hope to work with them in the future.
I successfully applied for 'Light Night Conversations', an opportunity from The Cultural Institute at Leeds University to spend a day with an academic researcher to develop initial ideas around the creation of a new artwork for light festivals. I was paired with Seb Stroud, and we're currently exploring ways to combine our two areas of interest.
I received a £300 grant from Greater Manchester Arts Access Bursaries to continue developing my creative light art practice. With thanks to Bolton Council for encouraging me to apply and administering this support.
Level Playing Field: Stories of Liverpool Trans and Enby FC opens at The Whitaker
Huge thanks to Gaynor, Gina and the rest of The Whitaker team for making this happen in time for Pride 2026. Given the current state of things for our trans and gender non-conforming friends, family and neighbours, it feels incredibly important and timely to show this work (and our solidarity). My exhibition featuring Liverpool Trans and Enby FC is open now until the 27 September 2026 at The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery. There's also two events to come along to:
‘Voices of the Beautiful Game: Football Heritage and Family Fun’ on Saturday 13 June from 11am - 3pm. Coach and Player Kat from Liverpool Trans and Enby FC is running a session of games for kids from 1 - 3pm (recommended for ages 5+).
On Thursday 25 June at 6.30pm I’ll be giving a talk about the exhibition (free). Come along to find out more about the original project, my alternative photography processes and the experience of being a Portrait of Britain winner!
And finally, a plug for Rossendale Pride which is happening at The Whitaker in collaboration with Spectrum Inclusion on Saturday 18 July.
Level Playing Field was originally a creative commission for the Williamson Art Gallery that responded to the 2024 LS Lowry project ‘Going to the Match On Tour’. Supported by The Lowry, Salford, Arts Council England, The Law Family Charitable Foundation and the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation.
In other news...
My portrait of Robin from Liverpool Trans and Enby FC has been selected for the Manchester Open. It'll be on display at HOME from 19 June – 6 September.
Head to the current temporary exhibition at the National Football Museum, where my portrait of Kat from Liverpool Trans and Enby FC is part of the show.
Some of you managed to spot my Portrait of Britain Volume 8 winning image across billboards and poster sites across the UK. Thanks to everyone who waited in the cold and rain for my photograph to appear on the digital advertising screens.
The third and final phase of my LGBTQ+ Gynae Stories project in collaboration with the Wellcome Collection is well underway. If you’re interested in reading what we’ve been up to take a look.
And finally...
As always, here's some fun and creative things to read/do/visit:
It’s degree show season! There’s too many to list but here's a shout-out to friends and colleagues showing fantastic work at MMU’s Manchester School of Art, Chesterfield College (good luck to my pal Alex!), and The University of Greater Manchester (Bolton). Go see!
The National Festival of Making returns to Blackburn in July. Take a look.
Like trees? Head to Tree Story (Haigh Hall).
I’m currently working with Mirador Arts and their Copy That project, a year-long project in Lancaster celebrating the life of photographer and inventor Karel Klíč. Both my cyanotype workshops have sold out, but there’s still plenty of events going on so do check their website.
If you enjoyed Mackenzie Crook’s Small Prophets, you might enjoy reading about what my friend Claire has been getting up to at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow.
Say no to AI slop and support artists. Buy some lovely pots, lovely prints and lovely books from my talented pals instead.