Photo Commission: SPIN-MPF

SPIN, in collaboration with The Martin Parr Foundation, is pleased to announce a new photography commission.

Theme

What does secrecy mean to you? Who keeps secrets, how and why? Who is trusted with secrets? Who isn’t? What is ignorance? Who is ignorant, of what, why and how? How might secrecy and ignorance be interconnected? What is the relationship between space/place and secrecy/ignorance? Or between the visual and secrecy/ignorance? Or, are you inspired by the ideas of secrecy/ignorance in relation to mazes and labyrinths, to underground spaces or tunnels, to the margins of society (think stealth camping), or to hunting (think new forms of hide and seek) and/or police and security powers.

Using these questions and themes as a provocation, we want to hear your thoughts around creating a series of photographic images, photographic-based collage, or screen-print to explore them.

Details

• Fee: £800 + travel expenses. Outcome: 4-6 images by April 2022.
• Deadline: Apply before midnight, 30th Nov 2021.
• Eligibility: We are particularly keen to hear from new and emerging photographers from backgrounds that are currently underrepresented in British photography.
• Send a short expression of interest, link to your portfolio, and a short paragraph on why you think you meet the eligibility criteria to Jon (Martin Parr Foundation).

In addition, this commission will offer the chance to:

• Meet the team at the MPF, have access to their collection and extensive photographic library to use as a source of inspiration and reference for your work.
• Invitations to attend MPF events with Donovan Wylie, Lindokuhle Sobekwa, a tour on Stephen Gill and an exhibition opening party.
• To meet with and have access to research undertaken by Dr Elspeth Van Veeren, Associate Professor in Global Politics (secrecy and security cultures, visualities, US politics) and associated researchers in SPIN.
• Invitations to attend SPIN events, talks, panels, workshops.

The work produced through the commission will be showcased in the New Year via the MPF Instagram, on the SPIN website/socials, through the publication of a limited run of postcards through the MPF, and as part of the SPIN-SWDTP series of secrecy/ignorance-related events.

If you have any questions please contact Elspeth (SPIN) via the Contact Page or Jon (Martin Parr Foundation).