Creative team begins artists residency at QUAD

A group of multi-disciplinary creatives has begun an artists residency at QUAD, making new work to be shown in an upcoming exhibition.

The group, known as Disruption, is made up of digital artist Anthony Shintai Amao, spoken word artist Sipho Eric Ndlovu, dance artist Jamaal O’Driscoll and producer Emily Labhart.

Their residency takes place in the QUAD Artist Studio during February and March culminating with an exhibition FORMAT22 Presents in QUAD’s Extra Gallery spaces from 18 March.

Founded in May 2020 in response to the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, Disruption brings together black artists from a range of disciplines who have a strong connection to the Midlands.

Driven by research and a commitment to building and representing their community, the collective explores the times we are living in, through cross artform collaboration.

For the residency the Disruption team will develop works in film, photography, spoken word and dance, making connections with the community to explore themes including toxic masculinity across genders, accountability, success and identity.

This forms part of the collective’s mission to present multiple narratives of the black British experience in public spaces, to challenge preconceptions and share individual realities through art.

Anthony Shintai Amao said “We are super grateful to QUAD for providing a platform/residency for us as a collective to carry on doing what we love – creating art while exploring important socio-economic issues.”

Sipho Eric Ndlovu said “For the Disruption team to be able to exhibit at QUAD is a generous opportunity to expand our research into the Derby arena, meeting like-minded creatives and sharing on a reputable platform. I am excited to start 2022 so boldly.”