PROUD AND LOUD ARTS PRESENTS 'AFFIRMATIONS'

Proud and Loud Arts is premiering its new Live Art performance 'Affirmations' at Manchester Art Gallery at 7.00pm on 8th March.

Affirmations is an interactive, Live Art installation created by Artists living with disability labels.

The work offers a perspective on the impact of social stigma and personal identity from the uniqueness of each artist's own life experiences. Affirmations is an addition to 2016's performance of 'Cells - a body of work' developed in direct response to a Manchester Evening News article describing a 140 percent rise in reported hate crimes against people with disabilities.

This exhibition offers a thought provoking and creative glimpse into extraordinary perspectives on the stigma associated with being different. To make the work, members have collaborated with a team of highly experienced local Artists:
Director - Tom Hogan
Movement Director - Susan Swanton
Designer - Nerissa Cargill Thompson

Speaking of her experience in the rehearsal room Susan said "Working with Proud and Loud Arts has opened up new ways of working for me, the company have challenged my approach to how I make work with artists. It's very exciting and great to have the opportunity to experiment with movement and form without limitation."

Audiences are encouraged to move around the room and observe the performances as they change and perspective shifts. Artistic Director Tom Hogan said "This is an exciting group of emerging artists who have developed a beautiful, and at times mind blowing, immersive performance. Each art work is a unique piece that pushes and challenges our sometime rigid understanding of identity. We are thrilled to be back at Manchester Art Gallery, it's such a wonderful space to perform, the staff are incredibly welcoming."

We are delighted to have developed this new work with performing arts students in partnership with The University of Bolton, and Arts Council England.
ENDS Notes to the editor

Proud and Loud Arts is a Theatre and Performance Company for people living with a disability, which was formed in 2000 and has been producing pieces of theatre, performance art and film for almost 18 years.

The main aim of our work is to create performances which express the views of people with disabilities and to raise awareness of disability.

We have an established membership who attend our two drama sessions each week. Each artist contributes to the development of our productions, which are based around their own experiences of life with a disability. Our work is always focused on communicating a clear message to our audiences that reflects the thoughts, attitudes and opinions of the group.

Tom Hogan is the Artistic Director of Proud and Loud Arts. He has over twenty five years experience working with hard to reach groups of people including disabled people, children and prisoners.

Susan Swanton is a Manchester based actor and artist and the creator of 'Invisible Women' a live art work exploring the female experience of being seen and heard or being unseen and unheard.

Affirmations at Manchester Art Gallery is free to attend and you do not need a ticket.

Proud and Loud Arts can be found on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram and our website is www.proudandloudarts.com

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