Case Study
SELINA THOM P S O N
Case Study: Selina Thompson Selina Thompson is an artist and performer based in Leeds. Her work is playful, participatory and intimate, focused on the politics of identity, and how this defines our bodies, lives and environments. Over recent years Selina has been developing a body of works called ‘Edible Women’, exploring the fat body, dieting, control around food and how much of a mess she can get away with creating with an audience. She is currently in the middle of developing two new projects: The first exploring black identity within the UK and further afield (for this one she built a giant ball of hair) and the second looking at unemployment and job centres (she built a job centre for that one).
Artists can be very focused on the art they are creating making it easy to forget about the business side of things. As such it has been very helpful for Selina to have some conversations around business, helping her to understand her market better. Selina’s biggest motivation to move to Leeds in the first place was the support East Street Arts is able to give. Thanks to their work she has formed many new relationships and, without the organisation, Selina would probably have moved back to Birmingham. For more case studies and further information visit eaststreetarts.org.uk registered charity 1077401 eaststreetarts.org.uk @eaststreetarts
Selina Thompson
Selina started working from her own bedroom before East Street Arts found her an empty space in Leeds, and since the beginning of January 2015 she has been based at Patrick Studios.
Being a member of East Street Arts is very important to Selina because she gets to be part of a community and, besides the support, it has proved really helpful for her to be able to talk to people about their practice. Since becoming an East Street Arts member Selina has so far been successful in applying for two commisions and has more space, time and money.
“It’s the feeling of lots and lots of art, lots to take in, lots of conversations about art and having a building to come back to everyday, which is really good for me.” Selina Thompson.