Sophy King and John-Paul Brown
Sophy King and John-Paul Brown are collaborating on their upcoming exhibition THE GUARDIANS OF LIVING MATTER.
Their collaboration began in 2022 through para-Lab, instigating projects between artists & scientists at Uni. of Manchester. In 2024, they curated a major exhibition of 30 North West environmental artists at Rogue Studios. They are increasingly recognised as key Greater Manchester artists working across regenerative practice, sustainability & low-carbon artmaking.
Sophy is a multidisciplinary environmental artist, investigating the climate crisis, human and non-human ecologies, geological time and socioeconomic histories. She examines these through site-specific installation, sculpture and audiovisuals, using living elements, organic and man-made materials.
Originally trained in 3D Design she worked as a glassblower, art fabricator, set-builder, prop-maker and Landscape Architect whilst winning commissions to create art in the public realm around the UK. She developed her studio practice further with an MA in Fine Art at MMU in 2019 and a bursary to explore filmmaking from the Liverpool Biennial, since when she has been exhibiting and making site-specific work nationally and internationally.
Instagram: @sophykingart
Website: www.sophyking.com
John-Paul is a British visual artist interested in the conditions that create generational loops in class. His work is a cumulative investigation into the interconnectedness of Earth system science and the human extraction of natural resources, making connections between the everyday and geopolitical climate complexities.
Focusing on methods of low carbon art-making and material choices, his practice involves documentary photography, expanded drawing and sculptural installation. He combines research with personal experience to create layered narratives of our world today and promotes positive discussion about the roles artists can play in tackling the climate crisis.
Instagram: @johnpaulbrown_
Website: www.johnpaulbrown.com
ABOUT SOPHY AND JOHN-PAUL'S DEVELOPED WITH PROJECT
THE GUARDIANS OF LIVING MATTER
THE GUARDIANS OF LIVING MATTER is an immersive, interdisciplinary exhibition of living bio-sculpture, installation, film, dance & sound, inviting audiences to explore alternative & radical futures. Here, digital technologies merge with living matter to inspire fresh creative thinking around the relationships between artificial & plant intelligence.
THE GUARDIANS OF LIVING MATTER offers a sanctuary from climate grief & social despair – a space where hope can be rekindled. It challenges inaction around the climate crisis & brings urgent, thought-provoking ideas to the forefront of collective consciousness.
This ambitious exhibition, spanning four galleries, brings together extensive research & prototyping.
Created in collaboration with creative technologist Krisstopher Dunk, performers Christopher Brown & Emmy Lahouel, sound artist Vicky Clarke, lighting technician Gino Spolverino, and Dreamlab. The development of the work is also supported by the Henry Moore Foundation, HOME, School of Digital Arts at MMU, and University of Salford.
“We are delighted for this opportunity to evolve our artistic partnership as The Guardians of Living Matter. The Developed With programme provides us with an ideal platform to reach new audiences and scale up this ambitious project. Thanks to this curatorial support and being part of a new artistic cohort, our exhibition will offer audiences a series of reflections on our roles as custodians of this planet.” – Sophy King and John-Paul Brown