Exhibition Announcement

Drawn Through confronts the experience of being blocked – either through social barriers or internal states – and encourages a collective reaffirmation of our power to create other worlds.

The exhibition includes drawings, mixed media collage, moving image, text, lightboxes, and an algorithm-driven piece. Processes include cutting, deletion, transference, concealment, interruption, and layering to the point of illegibility. Some artworks continually evolve, valuing an ongoing process rather than a fixed, resolved state. Many works are paired to undercut their own internal logic, while the text-based works challenge the authority of language. Some of the pieces were made alongside other people, including learning disabled people and Proximity, a collective of artist-researchers. This highlights how collectivity has informed Atkinson’s practice by negotiating a space of care, conflict, and reappraisal of the self, leading to speculative thinking around our shared futures.

The exhibition brings together works from three projects: Atkinson’s practice-based PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University, funded by a VC Scholarship and in partnership with Venture Arts, where she worked alongside learning disabled people to explore what factors help or hinder a person from becoming an artist; an Arts Council England funded project where Atkinson sought to bring together the social and material aspects of her practice; and a piece commissioned by Brighton Photo Fringe, with support from Art Fund.

Venue:
Assembly House, Leeds, LS12 2PL

Launch:
Thursday 21st September, 6-10pm. All welcome.

Opening hours:
Friday 22nd September, 3-10pm (3-6pm masked hours)
Saturday 23rd September, 11am-6pm (3-6pm masked hours)
Sunday 24th September, 11am-4pm (part of Leeds Open Studios).

Accessibility information:
Assembly House is located on the first floor with no wheelchair access. A 3D virtual tour of the exhibition will be available online as soon as possible. There will also be video and photographic documentation.
The interpretation text will be available as audio, and easy read. Descriptions of individual works will be available in written and audio formats.
Masks and hand sanitiser will be provided, and there are specific masked hours where guests are asked to mask and maintain social distancing.
If you have any further questions or requirements regarding access, please contact Assembly House by email: info@assemblyhouse.art

Pieces exhibited were made with support and funding from Manchester Metropolitan University, Venture Arts, Arts Council England, Photo Fringe, and Art Fund.