To coincide with the current Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition at Stills, After the End of History: British Working Class Photography 1989-2024, we are excited to announce a special 1-day Masterclass with the visual artist, Joanne Coates.
Based in North East England, Joanne Coates explores aspects of rural life that are sometimes neglected in depictions of working-class culture, its hidden histories and income inequalities. Through photography, installation, and audio, her works challenge narratives on power, identity, wealth and poverty, with an emphasis on community engagement.
“In really simple terms, I make work as someone with lived experience of the issues I’m looking at – which means thinking differently. I approach art differently from this perspective. A big part of what I do is listening, learning, walking and talking… Photography is a medium with a history that is connected to power and creating stereotypes, so this is about flipping that dynamic on its head. Intimate collaboration is a way of doing that.” Joanne Coates
This critical 1-day masterclass will revolve around self-representation, class consciousness, and photographing communities. Whether you are making a body of work exploring these ideas, wanting to learn more about working from a lived experience, or conducting research in-line with these topics, this workshop is aimed at helping you to develop your ideas around, and the understanding of, these critical themes.
Morning Seminar (1.5hrs) 11am-12.30pm
Joanne opens the day by presenting on their practice and experience
Followed by an open group discussion and Q&A
Afternoon Group Crit (2hrs) 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Participants present work in progress on a project for group discussion and development
Participant to prepare a 5-10 minute presentation to share for peer discussion and review*
Afternoon Part 2. (1.5hrs) Masterclass Artist 1:1’s 4-5.30pm
Each participant has a 10 minute 1:1 review with Joanne
*You can present your work digitally or in print.
Whilst the 1:1’s take place, each participant will receive a full induction to Stills’ resource facilities, worth the value of £25. This induction will provide you with full future access to our Black and White and Colour Darkrooms, Digital Printing, Editing, and Scanning facilities. More information about our Production Facilities can be found here.
Joanne Coates Biography:
Joanne Coates is the UK House of Commons Election Artist for 2024 , known for her compelling explorations of rural life, class, and environmental issues. In 2023, she was awarded the Baltic Vasseur Arts Award, resulting in, The Middle of Somewhere, addressing housing, climate, and the countryside. The work was long-listed for the Deutsche Börse prize. In 2021 she was awarded The Jerwood/Photoworks award. She is currently artist in residence at Timespan.
Image used courtesy of Joanne Coates.
Image : Poppy, Scottish Borders, Daughters of the Soil, 2020 © Joanne Coates
Assisted Places
As part of our commitment to the advancement, enjoyment, exploration and understanding of photography in Scotland and an extension of our Courses, Facilities and Creative Learning programmes, we are offering one fully-funded place on this Masterclass.
Who can apply?
Applications are open to anyone, of any age, living in Scotland and facing financial barriers.
A guide to what these barriers are is as follows – this is not exhaustive, and if you have any questions around this please email courses@stills.org. All questions will be treated in confidence.
You may be eligible for Assisted Places if you fulfil one or more of the following criteria:
- I frequently stress about basic* needs and don’t always achieve them.
- I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs.
- I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing.
- I sometimes can’t afford public or private transport. If I own a car/have access to a car, I am not always able to afford petrol.
- I am unemployed or underemployed.
- I qualify for government and/or voluntary assistance including: food banks and benefits.
- I have no access to savings.
- I have no or very limited expendable** income.
- I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them.
- I cannot afford a holiday or have the ability to take time off without financial burden.
*BASIC NEEDS include food, housing, clothing and transportation.
**EXPENDABLE INCOME might mean you are able to buy coffee or tea at a shop, go to the cinema or a concert, buy new clothes, books and similar items each month, etc.
How do I apply?
Please follow the link below to fill out the application form. Due to high demand, this assisted place will be operating on a first come first serve basis.
If you would prefer to submit a video application please send an mp4 file, no longer than 5 minutes, to Evan, courses@stills.org.
Courses are subject to minimum enrolment. Please register early, within five days of the start date, to reduce the likelihood of course cancellation.
Please read our cancellation policy before booking.
For the 3 Masterclasses in this series, students can claim a 25% discount on the full course price. Valid proof of eligibility must be produced on the first day of the course. Please use the code STUDENT25 when prompted at checkout.
Anyone over the age of 65, and those in receipt of any form of benefits can claim the concessionary price, offering a 10% discount on the full course price. Valid proof of eligibility must be produced on the first day of the course. Please use the code CONCESSION when prompted at checkout.
