Artist Bursary
Phakama want to GIVE artists the space, time and means to create, experiment and be.
We want to GAIN greater perspectives of (new) arts practices and raise our profile.
At Phakama we understand that artist facilitators, with their unique skills and experience are integral to the ongoing growth of the company.
It is our intention that artists don’t just deliver workshops for us, but are involved in the shaping and creation of projects.
Each year we offer seed funding of up to £2000 for an artist to develop a discrete project that chimes with Phakama’s vision.
We hope that this seed funding will allow artists to test out their ideas whilst collaborating with and complementing Phakama’s vision.
I’ve had the opportunity through this seed funding to try something new and I still can’t believe the outcome. It’s such a brilliant scheme, it’s opened me up to whole other medium, but more importantly, by selecting me as the bursary recipient for 2019, Phakama believed in my project and that belief has taken me very far from where I was a year ago.
Hussina Raja 2019 bursary recipient -
2021 Artist Bursary Project:
Dragging Me Out
Image by Jen Vanderlinde, provided by Anthony aka Bolly Illusion
Inspired by the incredible artists on the East London drag scene, Radhika Aggarwal was blown away and invigorated by the confidence, sass, and fun these performers brought to the stage. Aware of her own suppression of this life force, she wanted to explore and learn in a shared space that could empower and support to set fire to this spark and explore what that is. Teaming up with the legendary Anthony Pius aka Bolly Illusion, "Dragging Me Out" is an injection of feeling fabulous, and stepping into our power through South Asian dance music. The project aims to increase community cohesion, shine a light on those who have navigated their confidence and identity in complex cross-cutting ways, through a celebration of each other and our unique ways of moving.
The project will consist of 4 x movement/belonging sessions facilitated by Radhika and Anthony aka Bolly Illusion. Each session will be 2 hours and take place over September and October.
The sessions aim to create an atmosphere where all can feel safe, free, and have fun with their bodies in the space. Anyone is welcome at these sessions though we actively seek to engage, LGBTQIA+ of colour, artists of colour, those with complex and crosscutting relationships to their bodies in society and those who may have repressed elements of their sensuality for any reason. Details for how to join in will be published soon.
Past Artist Bursary Projects:
Teakster
2020
Community Mural
Hatiq Mohammed is an outsider artist who goes by the name Teakster. He has an extensive background of creating large scale murals inspired by his Islamic faith. Hatiq created a mural in Tower Hamlets with a group of young people.
The project had to be altered due to the covid-19 pandemic, but was able to go ahead as part of the London Mural Festival.
Hussina Raja
2019
ROOTS
ROOTS is a short film which Hussina describes as a reflection on migrant assimilation and the shedding of identity.
'A couple looks hopefully into the future. They soon discover the obstacles they must overcome to be accepted. As generations evolve their position alters in what was once a foreign land.'
The film had it's world premier at the BFI London Film Festival in 2019
Nurull Islam
2018
The Full English
Traditional favourites, such as the full English breakfast, have only recently become widely available to the Muslim community.
Nurull Islam collaborated with photographer Rehan Jamil to create portraits that explore how the Muslim community in Tower Hamlets has integrated traditional English meals into their daily lives, depicting the traditional English dishes that have found their way into the Muslim community.
Mike Knowlden
2017
Elephant in the Kitchen
Elephant in the Kitchen worked with different generations from families who have moved to London from across the world.
The project combined storytelling and food, bringing together culinary cultures and acting as a way for people to express themselves, creating an atmosphere of relaxed sharing and comfortable interaction, exploring what it means to move to a new place
Kate Beales & Caro Gervay
2016
Of All People
Of All People is a storytelling and photography project about joining in, telling stories, building relationships and growing communities.
Through creative workshops
participants document each others’ stories through photographs, and curate an extraordinary multimedia exhibition dedicated to individuals, others, and the creative power of relationships.