(Photo: Bram Thomas Arnold)

This workshop forms part of the Creativity Works co|Create Artists Training Programme.

As artists we are continually developing, exploring, tweaking, upending our own practices.

We are grappling with the current political, social and economic climate that we find ourselves in both locally and globally. And ask ourselves:

• How do we step in and make work like it really matters.
• How do we have the important conversations.
• Can our work affect our and other people’s situations.

Often, we are asked to work with communities and/or people described as, in some way, disadvantaged. How can we be an ally in this situation when there is a real danger we will perpetuate or contribute to maintaining existing systemic inequalities?

Some other questions that we ask ourselves are:

• How honest am I?
• Am I scared of messing in my own back yard?

To us, the camouflaged dynamics of collaboration include power, rank, gender, race, privilege, money, social and cultural capital amongst others and how these are acknowledged, or not within our practice as socially engaged artists.

We feel that the camouflaged dynamics of collaboration are important as they act as a microcosm of issues that play out globally. We propose that by paying attention, taking care of, bringing awareness to these dynamics we learn about and affect the wider urgent issues.

Within the context of this workshop we would like to explore:

• Person to person, what are the full possibilities of the improvised dynamic of being together?
• How do I bring my whole self into collaboration and not just play the role of the artist?

Bio: Davis & Jones

Davis & Jones are artists who interact with and gently interrupt the social and physical contexts they find themselves in. They create and run with situations that are both familiar and surprising, connecting with systems such as the justice system, housing, healthcare and social enterprise. On bridges, beaches and housing estates, in building sites, prisons and hospitals, Davis & Jones make art with people and relationships.

Recently, Davis & Jones have had a number of commissions situated at major construction sites, building sites, new builds in Bristol.

Junction 3 Public Engagement Programme connected with the building of a new library and learning centre and was commissioned by Bristol City Council. This led to the creation of a public artwork and book, The Library of Ideas.

MOVE explored people's experiences of the new hospital in Southmead and was commissioned by North Bristol NHS Trust.

For more info about the artists please visit: www.davisandjones.co.uk