Debate : Invisible Trauma

Urban Times and GV Art present
Invisible Trauma

Urban Times, optimistic, forward-thinking online magazine, and GV Art gallery have come together in a momentous collaboration set to explore the tale of scientific traumas via art. The second in the Trauma series explores Invisible Traumas. We invite Rachel Gadsden to speak on this matter and call upon our special guest, Gill Lloyd, along with a surprise guest, to shed some light on what is discussed. There will be Q&A session for all audience members to participate in.

Rachel Gadsden is a contemporary British artist. She will speak about her Unlimited Global Alchemy project and how this has given her the opportunity to develop an extraordinary relationship with the Bambanani Group of Khayelitsha Township in Cape Town. Gadsden’s presentation will illustrate how her artwork seeks to externalize the invisible world of those living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa as she attempts to capture the physical sensations of trauma. Having her own unseen disability Rachel will draw upon her own experience to highlight the challenges that invisible traumas can present but show the importance of focusing on our abilities rather than disabilities.
In Jan 2011 Gadsden was awarded one of the thirteen commissions in the second round of awards for Unlimited – the ground-breaking programme that celebrates arts and culture by Disabled and Deaf artists on an unprecedented scale for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. It is one of three commissions in this round created in collaboration with international partners and with funding contributed by the British Council. Unlimited is principally funded by the Olympic Lottery Distributor and is delivered in partnership between London 2012, Arts Council England, the Scottish Arts Council, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the British Council. Unlimited Global Alchemy is produced by Artsadmin.

Gill Lloyd is co-director of Artsadmin (London) and has worked with the organisation since 1986, before which she managed production and touring for The People Show. Gill initially worked at Artsadmin as producer on a range of initiatives – particularly projects from South Africa in negotiation with the African National Congress during the period leading to the end of the cultural boycott. She also organised a large cultural festival (Zabalaza) for the ANC in London. Gill has specialist knowledge and interest in Southern African culture and has undertaken extensive South African human rights campaigning activity on behalf of artists, working alongside veteran politician Helen Suzman both pre- and post-apartheid.