Sharif Persaud: Have You Ever Had / Common Threads

London-based visual arts charity Autograph is reopening to the public on June 23, with exhibitions highlighting identity and neurodiversity by Sharif Persaud and the artist collective at Submit to Love Studios.

Since 1988, Autograph has championed photography that explores issues of identity, representation, human rights and social justice, sharing how photographs reflect lived experiences and shape our understanding of ourselves and others.

Their gallery in Hackney will reopen to the public from June 23, 2021, with two free exhibitions highlighting identity and neurodiversity—and new measures in place to help ensure a safe visit for everyone. Sharif Persaud’s exhibition Have You Ever Had will reopen after it temporarily closed last year due to COVID-19. Placing himself at the centre of his work, Persaud explores identity through his experience of contemporary life and autism. He is profoundly interested in his body in society as a site of investigation: sneezing, healthcare, hospitals, gangrene, cities, flats, benefits and his independence. This is the artist’s first solo exhibition, featuring his drawings, large paintings and award-winning short film The Mask. Persaud is a member of the collective at Project Art Works, who have been shortlisted for the 2021 Turner Prize.

Have You Ever Had will be on view alongside a new exhibition from Submit to Love Studios, a collective of self-taught artists in Hackney—all of whom have survived brain injury. The Common Threads exhibition features work by 23 studio artists, using Autograph’s unique collection of photography as inspiration for textile works. Photographs charting the contribution of diverse cultures to Britain over two centuries have been reimagined by the Studio as elaborate embroideries, appliqué and fabric prints. Submit to Love Studios’ work will be shown with a selection of portraits of the artists by photographer Leon Foggitt, and a short film by Posy Dixon.

Visitors are asked to book free, timed tickets before their visit. Further details can be found on Autograph’s website.

Visiting
Everyone is welcome at Autograph and admission is free. You can expect a friendly and inclusive atmosphere, carefully managed visitor numbers to ensure social distancing, and new safety measures put in place. Use our Visit Us page to help you plan your visit.

Sharif Persaud: Have You Ever Had is open June 23 – August 28.
Curated by Mark Sealy.

Common Threads is open June 23 – August 14.
Curated by Michelle Carlile, Ali Eisa and Lucy Keany.

Sharif Persaud: Have You Ever Had and Common Threads are part of the EXPLORERS project, a three-year programme of art and conversation led by Project Art Works.