Social Art and Participatory Action Research in Contested Urban Space

Julia Heslop; Hannah Marsden; Alison Merritt Smit

doi:10.25038/am.v0i26.475

Authors

Julia Heslop
Hannah Marsden
Alison Merritt Smit

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25038/am.v0i26.475

Keywords:

social art, participatory action research, gentrification, housing, artwashing

Abstract

This article examines creative co-research with groups experiencing homelessness and the effects of rapid urban development. It draws upon two projects which combine social art practices and a feminist participatory action research (PAR) approach. The paper argues that bridging PAR and social arts practice, whilst underutilised and under theorised together, is an approach that offers some key opportunities as well as challenges. In highlighting these challenges, the paper acknowledges the role of power dynamics and broader issues associated with artists working in urban development contexts where relationships between local authorities, developers, the culture sector and residents are increasingly complex and entangled. In analysing the difficulties and risks within creative, participatory projects, the paper calls for an ‘ethic of care’ and a focus on collectively building knowledge about unequal political, economic and social structures with groups affected by rapid urban development and displacement.

Article received: May 31, 2021; Article accepted: June 23, 2021; Published online: October 15, 2021; Original scholarly article

How to cite this article: Heslop, Julia, Hannah Marsden, and Alison Merritt Smith. "Social Art and Participatory Action Research in Contested Urban Space." AM Journal of Art and Media Studies 26 (October 2021): 115-128. doi: 10.25038/am.v0i26.475

Author Biographies

Julia Heslop

Julia Heslop
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Newcastle University
United Kingdom

Julia Heslop (Department of Architecture, Newcastle University, born 1986) is an artist and postdoctoral research fellow. She has a BA in Fine Art: Painting and Printmaking (Glasgow School of Art), a Master of Fine Art (Newcastle University) and a PhD in Human Geography (Durham University). The potentials for deep participation in (re)creating the urban realm, and in particular housing, are central to her work which spans large-scale architectural installation, video and painting. She often works in collaborative, slow ways with groups and communities and uses her practice to ask questions regarding land and property ownership, housing precarity, urban planning and local democracy. She has worked across Europe, but beyond the UK her most significant personal and working relationship is to Albania.

Hannah Marsden

Hannah Marsden
Department of Media, Culture and Heritage, Newcastle University
United Kingdom

Hannah Marsden (Department of Media, Culture and Heritage, Newcastle University, born 1982) is committed to developing embedded, participatory and ethical practices in relation to climate and social justice. Hannah’s PhD research looks at the role of social art in constructing alternatives for a ‘better world’. In 2019 Hannah worked with The NewBridge Project and Solidarity Economy Association to initiate a process of mapping and strengthening the solidarity economy in and around Newcastle and Gateshead. In 2020 Hannah worked with environmental action group Kalpavriksh on Vikalp Sangam, a process for networking alternatives to the currently dominant model of development and governance in India.

Alison Merritt Smit

Alison Merritt Smit
William Leech Research Fellow
United Kingdom

Alison Merritt Smith (born 1986) is an arts producer, researcher and community organizer. She is currently based in Berlin. Trained in art history, philosophy and the sociology of religion, her practice explores the relationship between art and democracy and processes of change, education and reflection in community organisations and groups. In 2019-20 she was awarded the William Leech Research Fellowship in association with St John’s College, Durham University exploring ideas of utopia in social arts practice and connections with Christian theology.

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.25038/am.v0i26.475 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25038/am.v0i26.475

Social Art and Participatory Action Research in Contested Urban Space

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DOI:

Keywords:

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Author Biographies

Julia Heslop

Hannah Marsden

Alison Merritt Smit

References

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