I am delighted to announce that I have been awarded the GRAIN Projects Photographer in Residence opportunity at Cannock Chase, Staffordshire in partnership with Forestry England. I will engage with the location and its communities to create new work that supports the development of my practice.
The Residency has been designed to support excellence in photography and is intended to provide artists with time to think, research, reflect and/or experiment with new ideas, to enable the research and development of new work in the context of Cannock Chase.
This opportunity is part of a broader series of continued professional development opportunities conceived and developed by GRAIN, supported by Arts Council England and Birmingham City University.
Cannock Chase and the West Midlands Region The West Midlands region is one of nine regions in England. Geographically diverse, the region has the urban central areas of the conurbation surrounding Birmingham to the rural western counties of Shropshire and Herefordshire which border Wales. The region encompasses five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty including Cannock Chase. Cannock Chase Forest (CCF) covers 2684 hectares of coniferous and broadleaf woodlands and open land in Staffordshire in the West Midlands, between the towns of Stafford to the northwest, Cannock to the south and Rugeley to the east – Birmingham city centre is 20 miles to the south. Cannock Chase is mainland England’s, smallest AONB. Most of the forest is freehold as part of the public forest estate and is designated as Open Access land. Much of the woodland in the west and north eastern corner of the plan area is leased to Forestry England however, and access in these areas is restricted to Public Rights of Way. The area lies within the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the majority of Forestry England land is made up of conifers planted for timber production. There are also areas of ancient woodland, wetland, wood pasture and open heathland within the forest.
GRAIN Projects
GRAIN champions photography for all. We deliver activities and projects in collaboration with partners locally, regionally and internationally, to support and grow photography opportunities for artists, communities, audiences and participants. We are dedicated to supporting artists to develop their ideas and ambitions and to creating new and innovative opportunities in photography for everyone.
We commission and produce new work and projects that engage with society and create new opportunities for participation as well as developing and curating exhibitions, commissions, publications, events and a range of artists opportunities and professional development support.
Working beyond the boundaries of a museum or gallery context offers rich and rewarding spaces for new work and opportunities to develop new collaborations and audiences. We work with communities and in unique locations to explore new ways of working.
Forestry England
For over 100 years, we have been growing, shaping and caring for over 1,500 of our nation’s forests for the benefit and enjoyment of all, for this generation and the next.
Forests are vital for the future of our planet. They improve the health and wellbeing of everyone. With careful planning and expert management, our forests will continue to thrive. Forests store carbon, reduce flooding and provide people of all ages and abilities with fresh air and spaces to breathe. We are always thinking beyond today, planning and planting forests that will help create a sustainable future.