Announcing Pamela Whitaker as AHRC IAA Practice-Based Researcher in Residence Programme 2024-25

Recently we disclosed a collaboration with Ulster University, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Impact Accelerator Account (IAA), whereby Void would host a Practice-Based Researcher in Residence in 2024-25.

Void Art Centre is delighted to share that art psychotherapy lecturer at Belfast School of Art, Ulster University, Pamela Whitaker, will begin her selected project in September with her work, titled ‘The Nature of Life: Gardens as Art’.

Pamela is an art therapy lecturer at the Belfast School of Art. She is also an artist researcher with the Creative Ireland Urban Food Sanctuary project in County Louth. She supports people to garden as artists making nature at home and in their localities.

Pamela’s Void residency proposal encourages the cultivation of home gardens, gardening in neighbourhoods and public homeplaces (such as parks) as artistic endeavours. She is keen to work with local people on these topics and also explore climate change gardening, companion gardening, and the art of home gardening. Pamela invites members of the public to contact her to discuss the project further at p.whitaker@ulster.ac.uk.

Her research residency aligns with Void’s civic engagement ambitions as well as Ulster University’s People, Place and Partnership strategy to promote the co-production of knowledge and projects to enhance civic life. The art of gardening encourages positive mental health and can be a vital act of making that creates both nature and pride of place. Pamela plans to link the research residency to learning and teaching at Belfast School of Art and to co-design opportunities for public engagement at Void Art Centre and within local neighbourhoods. The overall goal of the residency is supporting people to enhance their surroundings with the art of gardening that provides a resource for environmental activism and artistry.

Void looks forward to welcoming Pamela and supporting her in her research this autumn. More to follow!

Acknowledgements

The AHRC IAA Practice-Based Researcher in Residence Programme 2024-25 aligns with the 175th anniversary celebrations for the Belfast School of Art – with partnerships forming one of the core themes of the birthday celebrations.

Void Art Centre is kindly supported by Arts Council Northern Ireland, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Future Screens NI, Garfield Weston, Ulster University, Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland, and the Henry Moore Foundation.