Role: Filmmaker 2023
Bowden Pillars Future is a regenerative community project being created on 123 acres just outside Totnes, Devon. This film was created to share the vision of Land, nature, farming and community coming together.
A new community woodland will be planted and a regenerative farm will sequester carbon and rebuild natural systems. These are planned together with a regenerative village that supports true low carbon lives.
A variety of short films created to promote and celebrate the charity; its members work and practices.
The first is a an exhibition film created during the pandemic.
The second observes children in their quiet activity at Art School Ilkley.
There follow a few examples of several short artist showcases, each made from just an hour of filming in the studio together. They form a promotional campaign for 16 artists.
And a short piece to promote an exhibition by Louise Hepworth Wood and Joanne Tinker.
Authentically re-presenting artist’s work can be difficult on film, particularly if it’s static and pinned to a wall in a gallery. Without people it can also feel like an empty void. There was a challenge but also sadness to this task, given the ongoing restrictions caused by the pandemic.
Whilst I was filming, I listened to the radio at times, during the significant announcements in parliament. Boris Johnson thus infiltrated the Manor House and left ‘accidental’ digital records on my footage, some of which I decided to use as a historical footnote. I also filled the film with music, responding to and aiming to complement each artists work.
I chose to give the Manor House itself a significant role in the film, grounding it with a sense of history and a dignified presence. Its many windows catch glimpses of the ordinary world outside, in between the vibrant artworks and the dead wasps which accumulate on the window ledges.
A little observational sketch, filmed at Art School Ilkley, during their evening classes for children. With many thanks to Sarah & John Gamble.
I had just an hour with Jo to film her working practice. Together we create this little vignette as she worked with chocolate foil wrappers to create some of her artwork. It was filmed at Ilkley Arts studio during a campaign to promote 16 different members work.
Mel and I had just an hour together to film her showing me some of her books and artwork. Together we create this fun little piece during a campaign to promote 16 different members work.
I had just an hour with Kerry to show her working practice. Together we create this dynamic little film with her paint pouring, it was an exciting time with only one canvas.
Short promo for social media campaign June 2021
Filmed during dress rehearsal at Exeter Phoenix September 2022.
A collaboration between Jane Mason and Grace Surman who have made work for 25 years in contemporary performance, but have only just met. They will be in the same room at the same time, unravelling the complexities of negotiating the other, and what they choose to reveal of themselves.
Supported by:
Exeter Phoenix, Déda, Quarantine and Wainsgate Dances.
In 1984, the artists Linda Montano and Tehching Hsieh lived together for a year on the ends of a length of rope. This was real, it really happened; they kept to their promise, their contract.
Investing in a friendship, an art friendship, a life friendship; what can a conceptual pursuit hold in these impossible times?
And by the way, blending their names Grace and Jane produces grane; obsolete form of the verb groan.
Role: Filmmaker
The Corporate Artworks Project represented an opportunity to show that creativity and art can and be part of business life.
This was a pilot project led by Jeremy Lewis (a coach) and Gary Winters (an artist) to explore art and innovation. To go on a journey and learn lessons in the corporate world from the artist’s creative mindset and toolbox.
'Things Stack Up' is a solo piece by Grace Surman. This film is a short trail from the live performance filmed at Yorkshire Dance in September 2015.
The performance asks challenging questions about how we parent, how we educate, how we learn and how we move.
This is a solo about a woman stepping up to ask why we allow ourselves and our children to be told to sit still and be quiet instead of learning experientially with energy and emotion.
Commissioned by Yorkshire Dance’s Amplified, a two year artist development programme funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
Films commissioned in 2018 by a group of Bradford schools showing their purpose in providing excellent inclusive education and encourage more people to train in this sector.
The films sensitively observes children with special educational needs, discusses disability and inclusive education in mainstream and specialist state schools and interviews teachers and staff.
‘Praise Him’ was a fun low budget music video commission for London based Zimbabwean artist Jesmine. With a small crew and an ambitious schedule, shooting took place across several locations over one long day in East London. Dance choreography by Rudeye.
Hansesgaard Design collaborated to produce a series of brand films to capture the essence of Space Fitness & Wellbeing and help promote their business.
‘An Introduction To Space’ is the first of the short films and shows what goes on inside the studios. Without staging the setting, the film brief was to capture people behind the doors and engage with the welcoming everyday life at Space.
Specific films about Yoga, Tai Chi & Pilates followed as tasters to the approach and style at Space.
