Parallel Lives

Parallel Lives brings together the contrasting realities experienced by many neurodivergent people who have complex support needs.

Through paintings, drawings, prints and polaroids, artists reveal lives shaped by instinct, freedom, choice and imagination. Alongside these are drawings that map complex structures of health and social care — structures that can enable people to live the lives they choose, but that can also be opaque, adversarial and difficult to navigate.

The works evoke universal themes of home, people, places, interests and memory, but for many of the artists and those who support them, these exist alongside another reality: a world of assessments, systems, panels, thresholds, resource allocation and tribunals.

Through this juxtaposition, Parallel Lives reveals the often-hidden structures that impact on people’s lives, and the ways they can both enable and constrain freedom and choice.

Through the run of the exhibition, artists, families, carers and others will consider these worlds through talks, workshops and conversation.

Programme

Wednesday 11 November
Carer’s Creative Workshop
Carer’s workshops are relaxed, gentle, with no expectation. Open to all parents, carers and support workers who usually care for an individual with complex support needs, we want to offer you the chance to engage in a creative day. Booking essential please email georgie@projectartworks.org.

Thursday 12 November
In Conversation – Art + Care with Andrew Kötting + Kate Adams

We invite you to an evening of conversation between artists, filmmakers and parent carers, Andrew Kötting and Kate Adams.

Gathering in the Claremont gallery during the exhibition Parallel Lives, Kate and Andrew will discuss their creative lives and the influence their disabled children have had on their lives and art. Book your ticket here.

Artists in the exhibition include:

El Bass, Jack Finnerty, Siddarth Gadiyar, Albert Geere, Neville Jermyn, Eden Kötting, Mark Lockton, Natalie, Louise Newham, Sean Ormonde, Sharif (left the studio in 2021) and India O’Sullivan.

In this exhibition we are delighted to present work by guest Artist – Veronica Watson of Blue Room supported studios in Liverpool.

Opening hours:
11.00 – 16.00, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
No appointment necessary.

Location:
12 Claremont
Hastings
TN34 1HA

Artwork will be available for purchase on site and via Untitled Gallery.

About In Residence

Project Art Works In Residence at 12 Claremont brings together exhibitions, collaborations and events that celebrate the vibrancy and richness of diverse representation in contemporary art practice. Visitors can encounter works from the Project Art Works archive, alongside opportunities to engage with artists through events and workshops.

Images: Polaroids, PROJECT INDIA 2000-2003, photo by Project Art Works