Neurodiversity and Collective Approaches to Art Making

How can collective approaches to making support artistic practices? How can we work as artists of all different neurotypes and ensure support for all?

In August, Autograph hosted two events to coincide with our exhibitions: Sharif Persaud's Have You Ever Had and Common Threads - a display of works by artists from Headway East London's Submit to Love Studios. Central to each of these exhibitions were the artists' lived experiences of neurodiversity, specifically autism and brain injury, and the supported and collaborative approach the artists took to art making. Across the two events, speakers and artists associated with Project Art Works, ActionSpace and Submit To Love Studios discussed the ways in which collaboration and collective ways of making art can help develop a more inclusive creative sector for all.

"Collaborating allows us to consider what any artist might need to support their practice, and how we can level up when we need something different from the currently assumed norm"
— Sonia Boué

We've now made these events available to watch back below. Collective and Interdependent Approaches to Art Making features contributions from filmmaker and creative director at Project Art Works Tim Corrigan, and artists Sonia Boué, Thompson Hall and Anna Farley. The recording has BSL interpretation provided by Rebekah Spencer and Omoyele Thomas.* Collaboration and Supported Approaches to Art Making features contributions from artists Yoki Mekuria and Chris Miller, and support from Michelle Carlile, Art Studio Manager at Submit To Love Studios.