In this workshop, Marley Starskey Butler and Euripides Altintzoglou propose alternative approaches to portraiture.

Event outline:

The photographic studio is often understood as a neutral space, stripped of the cultural and social elements that shape identity. In this workshop, Marley Starskey Butler and Euripides Altintzoglou propose alternative approaches to portraiture, foregrounding conversation and collaboration as creative tools.

Participants will explore strategies that allow the artist’s intentions and the sitter’s representational desires to co-exist within the image. Through guided dialogue and practical experimentation, attendees will have the opportunity to direct their own portraits by adapting lighting setups, incorporating objects and props, and selecting backdrops.

The workshop concludes with a collaborative editorial session, where Marley and Euripides will support participants in selecting a final image for print, resulting in one completed photographic work per participant.

Information for participants:

No prior experience is necessary for this session. Attendees are highly encouraged to bring along any personal clothing items or props they would like to use. All participants much be 18+.

Faces in Common is delivered by Wolverhampton School of Art It is supported by Contemporary Visual Arts Network East Midlands and Contemporary Visual Arts Network West Midlands as part of Ode to the Midlands. The programme invests in artists, organisations, and audiences across the Midlands, strengthening regional connections and expanding access to digital visual arts.

This event forms part of a wider series of Ode to the Midlands workshops, generously supported by universities and partners across the East and West Midlands. All workshops are free and open to the public, offering opportunities to develop digital skills, encourage experimentation, and build confidence across the sector.

Ode to the Midlands is funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Access: The venue has level access and accessible toilet facilities. On the day, we will meet all attendees in the main foyer and escort everyone together to the Studios.

Bios:

Marley Starskey Butler is an interdisciplinary artist and qualified social worker, currently undertaking a PhD in Art and Design at the Birmingham School of Art.

Their practice interweaves storytelling, memory, and emotional landscapes to explore how people make meaning of personal and collective narratives within systems of care.

Change lies at the heart of Euripides Altintzoglou's artistic practice, serving as both a subject and a force that continually reshapes the world we inhabit. He delves beyond the visible expressions of political discourse, exploring the nuanced gestures of resistance and resilience that permeate everyday life. This theoretical and practical focus on identity and representation is reflected in his book, "Portraiture and Critical Reflections on Being" (Routledge), and shapes his role as the Course Leader of Photography at the University of Wolverhampton. His work has been exhibited internationally in both private and public galleries, as well as in major international exhibitions and biennales.

Image credit: Marley Starskey Butler

Description supplied by the event organiser.