Disruption is a brand new collaboration between some of the West Midland’s innovative independent creatives. Bringing together a dance artist, spoken word artist, digital specialist and a producer for the first time, Disruption will see a period of research and development exploring themes related to black male identity and toxic masculinity. Through a series of online discussion events, and workshops with young people in the local community, this initial phase will lead to the creation of a short film that features bespoke Hip Hop choreography set to original poetry – all captured through innovative filming techniques in sites across Birmingham and the West Midlands.
“We are over the moon to receive the HomeGrown31 commission! The grant will enable us four local creatives to come together to research and build new artistic approaches for the first time. This collaboration is a step-change in our careers, the start of something big that will have long-lasting impact on our creative practice and the communities we work in.”
About O’Driscoll Collective
Jamaal O’Driscroll is a highly versatile performer & choreographer, born, living & working in Birmingham. Since 2010, Jamaal has been developing his practice as an artist & teacher, working primarily within Breaking, contemporary, contact improvisation & Hip Hop styles. He is well respected in the underground Hip Hop community through his long-standing membership of renowned Breaking crew MDK
Twitter: @OD_Collective
Instagram: @odriscoll_collective
Web: www.odriscollcollective.com
Emily Labhart is an independent Creative Producer based in the West Midlands. From large-scale outdoor festivals, to international Hip Hop events, to developing independent artists within Dance of the African Diaspora, Emily has been producing creative work that brings communities together across the UK for over eight years. Career milestones include the launch of her international programme Dancehall Origins in 2016, joining the prestigious Clore Emerging Leaders programme in 2017, and producing cross-arts festival Birmingham Weekender in Digbeth in 2019.
Anthony Shintai is a Birmingham based visual artist mainly focused on photography & film-making, specialising in documenting street culture. Born in Nigeria, Anthony moved to the UK at the age of 10. Anthony’s passion for photography and film-making first developed from his environment as a teen. Locally surrounded by dancers, skaters, artists, musicians – Anthony felt inspired to showcase his friends’ talent through his camera. This has now grown into documenting street culture worldwide.
Sipho Eric Ndlovu is a performance artist, writer and workshop facilitator based in Birmingham. His background is encompassed as an Actor, Spoken Word Poet and Dancer with additional interest in education, disability art, heritage and academia. He has spent the last 10 years working with young people from varying contexts including mainstream education and specialist schools, using arts practises to engage them in creative ways.