Open Forum 2 – ROOT-ed Zine

June 17, 2019.
6:00 – 8:00pm.

Open Forum is a series of public events hosted at the Exhibition Research Lab (ERL) consisting of a presentation from an invited artist-led organisation, group or collective followed by an open forum discussion with attendees.

The second session is organised alongside ROOT-ed Zine, where Co-Founder Fauziya Johnson will present an account of the trials of creating and sustaining an organisation within the city and beyond.

Following the general format of a public open forum anyone will have the opportunity to participate in the discussion and have their voice heard, with no topics surrounding artist-led practice and its intersection with other socio-cultural practices and institutions off limits. Providing a neutral space for open discourse, attendees are encouraged to raise issues for public scrutiny in order to share knowledge, critique and develop solutions. Through a process of open and transparent dialogue pertinent issues will be exposed, explored, understood and re-thought.

ROOT-ed (Revolution of Our Time) is a self-published zine and social platform that aims to promote, support and inspire creative people of colour within the North West of England. The zine was founded by artists Amber Akaunu and Fauziya Johnson during their final year at university in which they both studied Fine Art. The two saw a lack of representation in university, media, galleries and museums and felt the need to create this platform to represent the underrepresented by allowing creatives to showcase their talents and skills and voice their thoughts and ideas.

Open Forum is a programme of events organised by James Schofield, PhD researcher based at the Exhibition Research Lab.