The Council for British Archaeology (CBA), in partnership with Photoworks, is excited to announce the launch of an innovative project that will reimagine archaeology for contemporary audiences through photography.
We are currenlty in the process of shortlisting for the project participants and look forward to introducing them shortly.
This project is made possible with the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players. It is part of the CBA's Reconnecting Archaeology Project.
Eight young photographers, aged 16-25, will work alongside award-winning artist and photographer Laura El-Tantawy to create new bodies of artwork that challenge traditional notions of heritage. Our six young photographers will be invited to take part in six online sessions with artist Laura El-Tantawy between October 2024 and February 2025.
The sessions will involve a combination of group workshops and one-to-one working with Laura. Using these sessions as a springboard, participants will create a new body of photographic work that reimagines young people’s perceptions of archaeology and heritage in their own places. We will also provide the opportunity to explore themes and ideas with archaeologists from the CBA. We are interested in supporting young people to move away from the idea of historical or ancient heritage and instead examine their lives and heritage in the present.
Photography offers a unique vantage point from which the six young people can challenge perceptions of what constitutes heritage, explore how and whether we all see ourselves reflected in heritage, and work to engender a sense of belonging, ownership and relevance.