Beyond the Visible

The Northern Charter, The Family Ties Network in partnership with NEPN presented a free symposium which considered how photography is used to create visual conversations around the lived experiences of illness, loss, medical conditions and the ‘unseen’ within representations of the family.

Photography is a difficult medium when it comes to photographing something that is not always visible. The particular visual strategies adopted by the artists explored a range of approaches for circumnavigating the challenges this presents. Their work raises questions as to how we see (or don’t see) these lived experiences. More than this, through their exploratory visual strategies, such practices are asking if it is possible to perceive – and therefore understand – such experiences and conditions differently?

As well as talks by our speakers, graduates and current students of the Northern Centre of Photography, University of Sunderland showed portfolios of work that connected with the day’s themes.

The event also included book launch event for ‘Image Object’ by Sarah Tulloch and ‘The Thin Blue Line, The Deep Red Sea’ by Marjolaine Ryley.

Speakers

Rosy Martin, Arabella Plouviez, Sophie Ingleby, Sarah Tulloch and Marjolaine Ryley.

Chaired by Nicky Bird and Carol McKay

Click here to download Speaker and Chair Biographies