SCRATCH NIGHTS X GALLERIES

THE SEVERED WING
by Corinne

Watch me, a disabled artist confined to bed, transform into a bird. Bed confinement is extremely isolating, but I live by the woods and hear bird song from my bedroom window daily. I wish to join my feathered friends, transform into my true self and escape my confinement. The live-streamed performance will explore my limited mobility. My wings can only ‘fly’ depending on my chronic pain level. A battle between my desire to fly and the reality of my health. 

About the Artist

Corinne (they/them) is a disabled queer self-portrait artist. This year marks their sixth year of spending almost every day confined to bed. Their childhood imaginary friend “Daisy” is central to their practice. Her presence manifests through their frequent inclusion of daisy flowers in their work. To escape childhood trauma, Corinne and Daisy created Daisyland, a Queer Utopia entered through a ‘Fairy Door’ on their bedroom wall. Currently they are working on an Arts Council England funded project ‘Daisyland’; a queer utopia and curatorial platform. 

Instagram: @corinnesdiary 

Websites:  

outsidein.org.uk/galleries/corinne  

bethlemgallery.com/artists/corinne  

A GENEALOGY OF BHANGRA

by Amrit Randhawa 

The work will examine the story of Bhangra music in the UK and make the attempt to trace its lineage to the present day. The artist, Amrit Randhawa will be considering how Bhangra music is inadvertently a good way of documenting the social mobility of British Asians — and how within the music one can hear the journey from the working class into the middle class. 

About the Artist

Amrit Randhawa is an artist and graphic designer based in Manchester, largely exploring typographic based outcomes.

Instagram: @taxicabindustries 
X: @AmritRandhawa96 
Website: https://taxicabindustri.es 

SACRED LANDS
by Obeka

Sacred Lands enter a true world.  

Rooted and honest expressions in past and present cultures that consist of Afro-Caribbean and Pan-African origins.  

The piece showcases a sensory atmosphere using bespoke visuals, native drums, voices and choreography harnessing spirituality and the powerful identities of these lands. The multi-dynamic performance aims to capture the intricacies of the artist's experiences and musical environments through their eyes. Challenging the perception of migration and social adaptations we have evolved in.  

About the Artist

Jahday Ford aka Obeka is a Bermuda born musician and visual designer who transitioned into the Manchester music scene in 2016, building a native sound and rhythm distinct tohis homeland. The Me Gusta Collective Co-Founder blends native styles from Pan-African, Caribbean, and South American origins that became essential for manifesting polyrhythmic electronic beats and tempos with a mix of live and software-based drum recording. The performance will additionally feature Zambian vocalist PRIDO whose unique sound has spread far and wide featuring on BBC Introducing and Radio 6 Music.   

Instagram: @obeka_music 
Instagram: @northsideprido 

LANDMARKING 
by Georgia Rowan & Loe D’Arcy 

Queer landmarking: adjective A ritualistic act of defiance   

LANDMARKING draws on collective crafting and movement practices to cultivate community, identity and visibility, in a society where rural queerness is often undocumented. The process was rooted in the local queer community of Sheffield, involving discussions and workshops that have resulted in this multilayered portrayal of queerness and belonging.  

About the Artists

Georgia Rowan (She/Her) 

Georgia’s practice is rooted in community, queerness and mental health, drawing on movement, film and craft to shed light on the complexities of lived experience. Since graduating, she has worked across contemporary and commercial dance, theatre, and film, most recently with Persona Collective and Shobana Jeyasingh Dance. She is also working towards becoming a holistic movement facilitator, combining her background in dance with training in massage.  

Loe D’Arcy (They/Them) 

Loe’s practice spans movement, costume and visual arts. They studied sculpture at Wimbledon College of Art for two years before moving to Trinity Laban to study dance, graduating in 2021. Loe’s queer identity and neurodivergence provides a framework for making that considers socio-political context and somatic experience. Most recently they have worked as a movement director for Dear Young Monster at Bristol Old Vic and as a costume collaborator with Julie Cunningham & Company. 

Credits

Concept: Georgia Rowan in collaboration with Loe D’Arcy.  
Videography: Georgia Rowan  
Filmed performance: Community cast (Names TBC) 
Material elements: Community cast (Names TBC)  

Instagram: @georgiamay.___ (Georgia), @__very_seedy (Loe)