the groundwerk logo with a range of hanging shapes such as a triangle, star and hexagon

Groundwerk 3.6: Balancing Art-Making and Childcare

SAT 6 OCTOBER 12.30-2.30pm
FREE & OPEN TO ALL AT TURF, WHITGIFT CENTRE, CR01UQ

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Becoming a parent is the beginning of a new life in more ways than one – both for the child and for the parent. Parenting can bring significant changes to one’s life and career and it has been well documented that women in particular can find it challenging, if not impossible, to continue their artistic development after their baby has arrived. Dyana Gravina, founder of the Procreate Project, together with artist and mother Naja Hendriksen, will deliver a workshop exploring skills and methods for maintaining an art practice while caring for small children.

This workshop will be both discursive and hands-on. It will be two hours long, and will include a break. The session is aimed at parents, but we also welcome anyone interesting in joining in. Children of attendees are also very welcome to join!

Groundwerk is a monthly series of free practical workshops for artists and creatives wishing to gain the skills to support their practice. This session is programmed as part of Art Licks Weekend.

This workshop is free to attend and open to all but booking is recommended, as spaces are limited.

 

// ABOUT DYANA GRAVINA

Dyana Gravina is an artist, facilitator, activist and art producer based in London. She is a women-artists-mothers’ rights advocate, and is the founder and creative director of the Procreate Project. She has worked for over ten years in the entertainment industry, events and the contemporary arts. Independently working for other organisations and agencies, she has led international productions and established collaborations with brands and institutions including the Venice Biennale, IPM International Music Conference, The Devine Comedy musical theatre, Goldsmiths University of London, Royal College of Art, LADA, and Create London.

 

// ABOUT NAJA HENDRIKSEN

Naja Hendriksen creates objects primarily using industrial or construction materials that become part of larger installations. Lately Hendriksen has made performances to form part of her installations, in which artists work with and investigate the objects further. Hendriksen received her Master’s Degree from Royal College of Art in 2018, whilst being a fulltime mother of two, and running an artist-led exhibition space called Space Twentysix.

 

// ABOUT PROCREATE PROJECT

Procreate Project is a pioneering arts organisation supporting the development of contemporary artists who are mothers working across art forms. Working towards equal representation and opportunities for women and mothers, today Procreate Project offers online and offline platforms and opportunities for the display, screening and staging of works, as well as connections with peers and organisations that can support artist mothers at different stages of their development. For more information please visit: www.procreateproject.com

 

// IMAGES

Rajaa Paixao, visual artist @ the Mother House studios. Courtesy of Procreate Project

Rosalie Darien Jones, Visual artist and Illustrator @ Mother House Studio. Photo by Simon Pizzey

KEY ACCESS INFO​

  • To help us support you best, please let us know if you have any access needs when booking.
  • For access info about getting to Turf and the Turf space, click here.
  • Our unit in the Whitgift Centre is 4 minutes walk (0.2 miles) from Wellesley Road Tram stop via the underpass, and 7 minutes walk (0.3 miles) from West Croydon Station and 8 minutes walk (0.4 miles) from East Croydon station.

 

WORKSHOP CODE:

Turf aims to be a space where all are welcomed & respected. We ask all attendees to align with this spirit when booking and support us in creating a welcoming & collaborative atmosphere together. We ask that everyone is;

  • Kind and respectful in our language and behaviour towards others. Turf is a space which is anti racism, sexism, homophobia and ableism.
  • Considerate of others’ time; allowing others room to speak & engage.
  • Respectful of the space itself as belonging to many people, treating the space & objects with care.
  • Attend wherever possible: In 2023, around 30% of people booking free tickets didn’t turn up! Our free tickets are limited and in high demand. Every person who doesn’t turn up means someone else can’t attend, so please let us know if you can’t make it to free up a space. If you don’t attend twice or more without letting us know, you may be restricted from booking again.

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