Can we be artists?

Chris is a retired teacher who became a member of Headway East London after a stroke nine years ago. Through the charity’s art studio Submit to Love, he began producing artwork exploring his new self and how it is viewed, and has developed an interest in the art produced by neurodiverse and disabled people. He has talked about his experiences & artistic practices at the Tate Modern, Turner Contemporary and Royal Academy and is currently undertaking a Masters related to art, health and disability. He is currently taking part in Shape Arts Transforming Leadership programme.

Ali Eisa is an artist and educator based in London. He is the Learning & Participation Manager at Autograph, a visual arts charity supporting photography and film exploring issues of identity, representation and social justice. Ali is a lecturer in Fine Art at Goldsmiths, University of London and visual artist working collaboratively as part of duo Lloyd Corporation exhibiting nationally and internationally across galleries and institutions.

Kate Adams co-founded and is artistic director & CEO of Project Art Works. She is an artist and activist and has curated many collaborative, creative actions with people who have complex support needs, families, caregivers, artists and galleries. Project Art Works were Joint winners of the Film London, Jarman Award 2020; are shortlisted for the Turner Prize 2021 and will present at DOCUMENTA 15 (2022), as one of 15 global collectives.

Will Gompertz has led the Barbican Centre’s artistic direction and wide-raging education programmes since June 2021, adding the role of interim joint Managing Director in September 2021. Will was the BBC's Arts Editor from 2009 – 2021 writing and presenting documentaries for BBC One and BBC Two, hosting shows on Radio 2, Radio 4 and BBC 5-Live. Prior to joining the BBC, Will spent 7 years as a Director of the Tate Galleries. Will has written two best-selling books and is a Supernumerary Fellow of Harris Manchester College, Oxford University.  

David Tovey is a formerly homeless artist, educator and activist who works in a range of media. He has exhibited internationally in locations such as the Atsa Festival Montreal, Kunsthall Stavern Norway, Tate Modern and Tate Liverpool and he is also the founder of the UK’s first One Festival of Homeless Arts. David is Senior Producer at Arts & Homelessness International.  Is the Patron of The Gem Programme, Is a Trustee at Unlimited, a Big Issue Change maker 2019, a Core group member of the Museum of Homelessness and a steering group member for What Next?