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in partnership with UAL Insights
An annual collaboration between Autograph and UAL Insights that introduces young people to photography through an artist-led programme
A programme for London-based students in further education and sixth form colleges
To provide access to professional artists, curators and mentors, as well as Autograph's collection to support a new generation of makers in pursuing a creative career
Common Ground is an annual collaboration between Autograph and UAL Insights, inviting local sixth form and further education college students to explore themes of identity through photography. Sessions take place at Autograph and at UAL’s London College of Communication (LCC).
Led by artist Denisha Anderson and facilitated by Alex Picasso Messer, the 2026 iteration of the programme, Fragments: Who Are We... Really?, explores identity, portraiture and self-representation through photography, collage and mixed media.
Working with industry mentors and tutors, the project supports students to gain experience in studio-based skills such as camera techniques, lighting, set design and photo editing.
Engaging with the programme
Recruited to support delivery
A billboard display at Old Street Roundabout
Sharing work made by the participants during the project
Hosted by Autograph and open to the public
Taking place at Autograph and London College of Communication
South London-based Denisha Anderson is an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, writer and DJ whose work is rooted in culture, identity and community. Working across film, photography and music, she brings a distinctive visual language and an instinct for capturing honest, human stories.
Since entering the film industry, Denisha has directed music videos, documentaries and commercials, collaborating with artists including Wu-Lu, Léa Sen, The Bug and Nothing But Thieves. Her photography has been exhibited at the V&A and HOME, featured by The FACE, WePresent and Huffington Post, and appeared on billboards across the UK.
As a former Balamii Radio resident and guest on NTS, Rinse FM, Reprezent and Worldwide FM, Denisha continues to move between disciplines with curiosity, energy and a commitment to creating work that feels culturally relevant, visually striking and deeply personal.
Alex is a photographer, designer and educator based in London, whose work explores aspects of community, subculture and identity, through analogue processes and printmaking.
He is a founder of creative studio Different Gravy that specialises in community engaged projects and working with youth. So far through his personal work and through Different Gravy, Alex has worked with the likes of Barbican, Crack Magazine, South London Gallery and Chelsea Football Club.
See more work produced by young Londoners as part of last year's iteration of the project
View
Images on page: Courtesy of the participants and Autograph, London.
Who we worked with: Image of Denisha Anderson courtesy of the artist. Image of Alex Picasso-Messer courtesy of the artist.
Discover more: Project work by Liv [detail] 2025, part of the Common Ground 2025 project. © and courtesy the artist.
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Autograph is a space to see things differently. Since 1988, we have championed photography that explores issues of race, identity, representation, human rights and social justice, sharing how photographs reflect lived experiences and shape our understanding of ourselves and others.
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