Claire Griffiths

           

A primary interest in my practice is working collaboratively with people from diverse and marginalised community groups such as those with learning disabilities. Within this practice I have developed frameworks that can encourage reciprocity, enable meaningful dialogical exchange and make possible the development of individual artistic practice for all involved. I have recently studied for an MA in Inclusive Arts Practice at the University of Brighton through which my research examined this question:

‘How can the researcher facilitate a process, which enables a balanced artistic collaboration to transpire between an artist with a learning disability and herself, using a combination of photography and writing as the stimuli?’ 

You can read more about my MA research inquiry here.

My photographic practice consists predominately of the use of analogue media, experimenting with the basics of pinhole photography and camera obscura through to using large and medium format film cameras. I completed a photography degree at the London College of Communications in 2006, during which my practice began an incline towards using my photographic skills as a base through which to develop collaborations alongside people with learning disabilities. I am interested in the photographic representation of people who have disabilities and in my degree thesis I examined this subject.

My other lens-based passion is filmmaking, a practice I have also used as a tool for both my collaborative and personal work. I mainly engage in documentary style methods and have developed an instinctive approach that is non-intrusive and sensitive to those that I am documenting. Where possible I like my films to give the audience time and space to contemplate and make their own interpretations instead of being led by directive voiceovers and fast-paced editing, though I understand that this is a method which needs to be audience appropriate.

 To read more about my filmmaking and see some examples click here

To contact me please email: claire_e_griffiths@hotmail.com