Spaces was my major project of 2014 which brought Video Jam together with expermental record label Slip Discs in commissioning a series of new audio/visual pieces from an emerging generation of distinct British artists. Over a series of three UK-wide events, three collaborative works from three pairings of emerging filmmakers and musicians were presented as site-specific events featuring accompanying material curated specifically to explore each individual context. The project encompassed my objective to explore and reconsider the relationship between moving image and live sound and Slip Discs’ continued commitment to carefully curating records and events that support the next generation of idiosyncratic music makers. The series compiled a variety of distinctive methods of working and approaches to sound and image from each pairing which illuminated one another. More information about the project can be found on the Spaces blog here. “ Within SPACES, Video Jam and Slip Discs proved the potential of a traditional format (touring and venue spaces) being realigned with more a progressive and avant-garde mentality. The fact that such works felt so accessible and free-flowing is a huge achievement and one that shows yet another positive shift into the more forward thinking of audio-visual shows. ”...

This is an extract from an original film and sound piece by filmmaker Paul Daly and electronic duo O>L>A which I commissioned for a Video Jam event at the Whitworth Art Gallery in February 2015. I put great value on developing ongoing relationships with artists as a means of providing support for their practice. Having commissioned both parties previously on separate occasions, I was able to judge that they would strike a chord as artists. This piece serves as an example of the quality of work I strive to showcase at the events. “ I was always supported and advised in the best possible ways by the curators. It was great to see such a passionate bunch put something like this together in the flesh... The whole process and the results that have followed have been more than I could have ever asked for. I’m extremely grateful to have been involved. ” - Paul Daly About the event : For the re-opening of the gallery, I was commissioned to host an event at the prime slot of the weekend celebrations, which drew 18,000 people across 2 days. For this I commissioned 4 emerging film artists to each work with...

I was invited by Manchester Art Gallery to curate a Video Jam event in direct response to Turner Prize winning artist Jeremy Deller’s Hayward Touring Exhibition ‘All That Is Solid Melts Into Air.’ The evening drew a diverse audience of over 1,000 to the gallery. The exhibition was a focused and personal study of British labour, leisure and community life and had great relevance to the city of Manchester. In response, myself and my team compiled a short film and live music programme to reflect and explore the exhibition’s themes within a wide variety of relevant genres. As the film curator, this commission gave me a brilliant opportunity to delve into Manchester’s industrial, social and cultural history, and carefully select artists to represent the different pockets of culture Manchester has to offer. The ten act programme featured an eclectic selection of contemporary and classic films paired with a diverse array of musicians from folk singers to experimental electronic duos. Highlights included a section of the documentary film ‘Steel’ (1945) by Jack Cardiff, included in Deller’s exhibition. I also commissioned three new short film works for the event by artists KHOM, Mary Stark and Hannah and Amy Buckley who worked...