Artists
Check back for interviews with the artists and more information on the exhibits
Paul Kelliher 'Abandon'
Ever since being called old school by his 20 year old cousin for using Facebook messenger, Paul Kelliher, 28, has been attempting to rebuild his idea of self while studying English Literature at Birkbeck. Having left the Republic of Ireland in 2013 to pursue his dream of acquiring student loans, he has recently come to the realisation that when politicians refer to young people, they may not necessarily be referring to him anymore. This has compelled Paul to start contributing to his pension fund, and would like to advise readers to follow suit in preparation of their inevitable ruin.
Instagram handle: @pauldegard
Sarah Kingham 'Rose Lands'
Sarah Kingham is a writer, artist, and academic based in London. She recently completed her MA in Cultural and Critical Studies at Birkbeck, alongside working at the Warburg Institute and in the Stores of the Science Museum. Previously, she studied Fine Art at London Metropolitan University, where she specialised in installation and photography, with a particular interest in archaic photographic technologies. Her writing is featured on the Sweet 'Art blog, and she spoke on the personification of ‘Death’ in European art at Life.Death.Whatever at Sutton House in 2016. Click here to read about Sarah's 'Rose Lands'
Alexandra Gray 'Here was our House'
Alexandra Gray was born at home in London, Islington in 1982. She trained as a dancer and theatre artist at Central School of Ballet, London Metropolitan University, and Drama Studio London. She is currently reading for a Masters in Modern and Contemporary English Literature at Birkbeck. Her work is concerned with memory, and the construction of the self in relation to notions of ‘home’.
Sara Alouani 'The essence of Jasmines روح الياسمين
Sara is a postgraduate student who has just completed an MA in contemporary literature. She has a strong passion for gender studies, cultural and religious studies, and human rights. Sara is very interested in the development of the Muslim religion, its perception in the West, and the role of women in Muslim countries. Sara works as a freelance writer online and collaborates as Forum Associate at the South Asia and Middle East Forum. She served for a year as Junior Fellow Researcher at the Center of Geopolitics and Security in Realism Studies.
Daniel Pateman 'Recovery'
Daniel co-curated ‘Elsewhere is a Negative Mirror’ in Bethnal Green in 2016 (a photography exhibition exploring the notion of geo-political borders), and was part of 2017’s ‘The Contemporary: An Exhibition’ at Birkbeck. His work for the latter, entitled ‘Ghosts of the Future’, offered hopeful rumination on the cycle of ruination and re-creation though film, visual art, and poetry. His original poem ‘I am Detritus’ was exhibited the same year along with the ‘biochrome’ works of Renata Buziak at WM Gallery in Amsterdam. Daniel is also a regular writer, penning articles for Eyeline magazine, London Calling and Photomonitor, while also acting as International Festivals Editor for London Photography Diary.
Aefifa Razzaq 'Markets Across Town'
Aefifa is an experienced English teacher who has worked across the full breadth of the education sector, spanning both state and independent, and primary and secondary. As a devoted teacher who enjoys different forms of artistic expression she believes in equipping herself with the necessary skills to confidently and astutely engage in conversations about political issues, immigration, urbanization, and their implications for the next generation. Particular fields of interests include different modes of narration, post-colonial theory, and the effect of empirical thought. Aefifa is also deeply interested in current day migration and its impact on what can be defined as ‘British culture’.
Above image taken by Daniel Pateman for 'Recovery'
Above image by Paul Kelliher for Abandon
Portrait by Melanie McPhail
Denise McCulloch 'Revolution'
Denise returned to university to develop an idea for a children's book but became distracted with poetry and script. Previous lives have seen her teaching, directing literary festivals and author events, and instigating community art projects – all of which possessed her love of literature at their core. When away from London and Surrey, she can be found searching for inspiration on World War battlefields, or perched on the side of a mountain.
Above image by Sara Alouani for 'The essence of Jasmines'
Above images by Sarah Kingham for 'Rose Lands'
Above image taken by Denise McCulloch for 'Revolution'