Theresa Bradbury
Artist Statement – Theresa Bradbury
My work explores the binary and oppositional understandings of difference, and the entanglement of thought and practice through and with our bodies. How can matter be elevated through a vital intra-action? Thinking through matter as dynamic and constantly in flux, and the entanglement of the material and the discursive. The utilisation of live art practices to foster affective and embodied experiences, through the entanglement of onto-ethico-epistemology, to promote empathy, equity, and inclusivity. My current practice-led PhD research at Goldsmiths, focuses upon disrupting tropes around Autism as a disorder and a deficit, and to highlight the strengths and capabilities of the autistic community. To promote equity and social justice through interrogating the dualism of Western culture and embrace the materialism of embodied practices, utilising Barad’s theories of onto-ethico-epistemology and intra-action to question bodies as border sites and lacking a self-contained existence (Barad, 2007). My performance practice is participatory and collaborative.
Lived Experience
Theresa is currently a doctoral researcher at Goldsmiths College, University of London. Theresa graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a distinction in MFA Fine Art and was selected as a recipient of the School of Art and Design Scholarship Award. Theresa’s research has a specialist focus on feminist practice and theory. She has exhibited and performed widely most recently at Contact, Asylum Gallery, Nottingham Contemporary, G39, NN Contemporary, Ovalhouse, The Yard Theatre, Anise Gallery, and Primary. She is a member of Axisweb, a curated platform for artists and has had extensive experience of working as an Artist Facilitator in several organisations, including Nottingham Contemporary, Harley Gallery, Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery and with numerous schools and community groups.
Teaching and Experience
2024 – 2032 – Goldsmiths, University of London – School of Arts and Humanities - Doctoral Researcher - The research project will address the nature / culture and essentialism / social constructionism dichotomy through an engagement and interrogation of Feminist New Materialisms. To explore the binary and oppositional understandings of difference, the entanglement of thought and practice through and with our bodies. How can matter be elevated through a vital intra-action between bodies and clay? The clay matter performs the body, and the body performs the clay in a non-hierarchical exchange and process of becoming (Barad, 2007). Thinking through matter as dynamic and constantly in flux, and the entanglement of the material and the discursive. The utilisation of live art practices to foster affective and embodied experiences, through the entanglement of onto-ethico-epistemology, to promote empathy, equity, and inclusivity.
2022 - 2023 - Wrexham Glyndwr University - School of Art and Design - Lecturer - Planning and delivering innovative, inclusive, and engaging sessions to learners attending the MA Art and Design Suite. To demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and to communicate ideas of a complex or technical nature to learners effectively using a variety of teaching methods, have detailed knowledge of the subject area. To ensure the workshops, lectures and seminars are fully inclusive. Teaching cross-disciplinary on MA Arts Interdisciplinary, MA Design Interdisciplinary, MA Arts and Health and MA Curatorial Practice. Respecting equality and diversity. Cross-disciplinary inclusive teaching within the art and design school with Level Three Foundation students. Pastoral care and personal tutorial support. Supporting learners with additional learning needs for Level Three Art and Design Foundation.
2021 – Nottingham Trent University – Visiting Lecturer – Planning and delivering innovative and engaging sessions to fine art students attending the MFA Fine Art Programme. To demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and have the ability to communicate ideas of a complex or technical nature to students effectively using a variety of teaching methods, have detailed knowledge of the particular subject area.
2020 – 2023 - Founder and Director - G A Z E Contemporary Art Space - G A Z E provided a forthright and diverse platform for contemporary art practice. It was focused on artistic experimentation and emerging interdisciplinary practices. The gallery was founded in Shrewsbury in 2020 as a nurturer of new talent and our aim was to support artists’ careers and the development of their ideas. The programme was focused on new and marginalised artists working in installation, film, sculpture and performance.
2006 - Present - Artist, Educator, Researcher & Writer - Working on the development and promotion of my contemporary art practice. Creating a new body of work and researching and developing new performance ideas. Exhibiting work and focusing on in-depth research in feminist theory. Writing articles for publications and workshop delivery.
2016 - 2019 - Nottingham Contemporary - Associate Artist - Developing, delivering and managing innovative and inspiring learning sessions for families, adults, school, college, university students and community groups in a large contemporary art gallery. Ensuring participants engage with the gallery and exhibitions. Promoting collaborative and intergenerational working between adults and young people. Communicate key ideas of the current exhibition to groups in an accessible way. The creation of interpretive tools to accompany the gallery’s learning programme. Using social media to promote the programme. Evaluating the sessions. Managing budgets and materials. Managing volunteers and assisting artists. Safeguarding and risk assessment. Working alongside the exhibitions, front of house and marketing teams to coordinate the events for visitors.
Exhibitions / Residencies / Practice-led Research
Goldsmiths, University of London - Bodies in Digital Transition Conference - Performance Lecture - September 2025
Glasgow Gallery of Photography - Surreal - August 2024
Contact, Manchester - Emergency23 - September 2023
New Art Gallery, Walsall - West Midlands Open - May - September 2022
Axisweb - Selected for New Art Highlights - March 2022 - https://www.axisweb.org/highlights/2022/new-art-highlights-21-27-March
] G A Z E [ Contemporary Art Space, Shrewsbury - Solo Show - ‘The Mirror From The Other Side' - Part 2 - February - March 2022
Axisweb - Selected for New Art Highlights - January 2022 -https://www.axisweb.org/highlights/2022/new-art-highlights-24-30-January
] G A Z E [ Contemporary Art Space, Shrewsbury - Solo Show - ‘The Mirror From The Other Side' - Part 1 - November - December 2021
Pragmata Collective - ‘Open Fragment’ - March 2021
Chester Bandstand - ‘Choose To Challenge’ - March 2021
Artists Responding To - Digital Exhibition - February - March 2021
Wolverhampton Art Gallery – ‘The [Spaces] Inbetween’ – October 2020 – May 2021
Digital Group Exhibition - ‘Touch Me!’ - September - November 2020
Sweet ‘Art - Venues around East London - ‘The Art Hunt’ - September - October 2020
Surface Gallery, Nottingham – ‘Personal Space’ – Performance Art Showcase – September 2020 - March 2021
Axisweb – Selected for New Art Highlights - July 2020
Film, Free & Easy – Online Moving Image Showcase – May 2020 – https://vimeo.com/420725564
Artcore Gallery, Derby – ‘Stand – Up’ – March – August 2020 – http://bit.ly/standuponline
Participate Contemporary Art Space, Shrewsbury – ‘Winter Show’ – November/December 2019
Axisweb – Selected for New Art Highlights - September 2019
Tunnel Vision 2, Nottingham - ‘Summer Lodge 2019’ - July/August 2019
G39, Cardiff - ‘Empower Me!’ - July 2019
Nottingham Trent University - Summer Lodge Artist Residency - July 2019
Wolverhampton - ‘disORDER Live Art Festival’ - July 2019
The Stash Gallery, London - ‘Have a H’Art’ June 2019
Ovalhouse, London - ‘Rejoice With Us’ - May 2019
The Old Baths and The Yard Theatre, London - ‘Uncensored Festival’ - May 2019
Blenheim Walk Gallery, Leeds - ‘Arising: A Call’ - Feb/March 2019
Primary, Nottingham - ‘Film Free & Easy - Cast The Net’ - November 2018
NN Contemporary, Northampton - ‘Crowd Show’ - 2018
Primary, Nottingham - ‘Red Bricks’ - 2018
Bonington Gallery, Nottingham - ‘NTU Mastered’ - 2018
Constellations, Baltic Triangle, Liverpool - ‘Nasty Women’ - 2018
Espacio Gallery, London - ‘Naughty and Nice ‘ - 2017
Anise Gallery, London - ‘Nasty Women Architecture’ - 2017
Stour Space, London - 'Nasty Women UK' - 2017
47/49 Tanner Street, London - 'Femfest' - 2017
Primary, Nottingham - 'Event #1 - 2017
Nottingham Contemporary - 'Aftermath' - 2017
The Surface Gallery, Nottingham - ‘Open Show’ - 2016
Nottingham Trent University - Selected for ‘Mastered’ Exhibition and Publication - 2016/17
Orleans House Gallery, Richmond, London – 'The New Georgians' - 2014
Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, Shropshire - ‘The Journey Continues…’ - 2013
Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, Shropshire - ‘Moving Beyond' Artist Commission - 2013
Publications
Emergency Index Volume 10 – An Annual Documentation of Performance Practice - Published by Ugly Duckling Presse –December 2023
The Mass – Fem Dominate! – April 2021 – https://www.the-mass.com - https://indd.adobe.com/view/ 9063a97b-7475-4910-92c0-8494a7cb6d4f
Nottingham Trent University – Guest Lecturer Presentation – March 2021
Penny Thoughts Issue 50 – Digital and Print Editions – Published by Snitch Publishing - March 2021
Artists Responding To... Issue 6 – www.artistsrespondingto.co.uk – Digital and Print Editions – February 2021
FAD Magazine – Touch Me - https://fadmagazine.com/2020/10/23/touch-me-connects-touch-deprived- viewers-and-artists/
Emergency Index Volume 9 – An Annual Document of Performance Practice - Published by Ugly Ducking Presse – January 2021
Heterotopia Publication – ‘A Feminist Heterotopia’ – https://drive.google.com/file/d/ 1JxmgtD7E7LPWiDlZLKpQFLG_psolwRND/view?usp=drive_web - October 2020
The Mass – ‘Movements’ – July 2020 - https://www.the-mass.com/july-2020
Emergency Index Volume 8 – An Annual Document of Performance Practice - Published by Ugly Duckling Presse – January 2020
Norwich University of the Arts – Inter-institutional Academic Symposium – Presentation of Research Paper - 2017
Nottingham Trent University – ‘Mastered’ Publication Selected Artist – July 2017
Aftermath – Publication to accompany the exhibition at Nottingham Contemporary – May 2017
The Journey Continues – Publication to accompany the exhibition at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery - 2012
Awards
Nottingham Trent University – Recipient of School of Art and Design Scholarship Award – 2016/17
Education and Training
PhD Research Degree – School of Arts and Humanities - Goldsmiths, University of London – 2024 - 2032
Anti-racism Training – Capita – February 2024
Mental Health Awareness Training – Capita – February 2024
Talking Mental Health – Capita – February 2024
Stress and Resilience Training – Capita – February 2024
LGBTQ+ Inclusion Training – Capita – February 2024
Postgraduate Certificate in Education - Post-16 - Level 7 - Pass - Wrexham Glyndwr University - 2022 - 23
Understanding Autism - National Autistic Society – May 2023
Autism and Communication - National Autistic Society – May 2023
ADHD / Neurodiversity Awareness Training - No Drama Llamas - March 2023
MFA Fine Art, Distinction, Nottingham Trent University - 2018
Safeguarding Children and Young People Refresher - NCVS - 2018
Arts Award Advisor - Discover and Explore & Bronze and Silver, Trinity College - 2014.
Safeguarding Young people, Data Protection, British Safety Council Level 1 – 2014.
Accessibility Awareness - Shropshire Council - 2014.
Customer Service - Shropshire Council - 2014.
Artist Teacher Scheme – Birmingham City University – 2012.
Autism Awareness Training, National Autistic Society – 2011.
New Media Training, Herbert Media, The Herbert Museum and Art Gallery – 2011.
ICT Training, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Publisher, Shropshire Council – 2011.
Bachelor of Arts (Honours), History of Art, (2:1), The Open University – 2010.
Managing Complex Behaviour, The Woodlands School – 2010.
BTEC National Certificate in Design, Double Distinction, Wiltshire College - 2007.
Diploma of Higher Education in History of Art and Design, De Montfort University Leicester – 2004.
Helping Artists Keep Going
Axis is an artist-led charity supporting contemporary visual artists with resources, connection, and visibility.