ANNIE HARRISON

In my art practice, I focus on the relationship between people and place. Being truly heard and understood is transformative and healing, and in my art work I elevate and celebrate forgotten narratives about individuals and communities. I create film and performance, installations, objects and participatory art projects which respond directly and personally to the stories I uncover.

My current project ‘Ebb and Flow’ is a collaboration with art historian Bob Gaunt, and involves walking the river network from Mytholmroyd to Hull to explore the cultural life of the flooded river-side communities.

Previous work includes:

• ‘108 Garments’, an ongoing project to memorialise the girls who lived at the ‘Rescue and Training Home’ in Reddish between 1897-1899.
• ‘Clogging on’, a participatory photography project exploring the experience of older people in Calderdale.
• ‘Morning Service’, a participatory performance experiment in creating a temporary community.
• ‘Picturing the Past’, a film about farming traditions in Saddleworth commissioned by Saddleworth Museum.
• ‘Orphan Series’, a performance series about the experience of being an adult orphan.

I have a degree in Embroidery and an MA in Art Practice from Manchester School of Art. My practice is informed by my previous careers in human rights advocacy, counselling and community health and my current role as a researcher and lecturer in Public Health where I specialise in Art and Health. I is the Artistic Director of Mytholmroyd Arts.