Play again: reflections from Axis 2025

It’s been another busy and inspiring year at Axis! From exhibitions and artist talks to workshops, festivals and events, we’ve been proud to support and champion contemporary visual arts across the UK.

As usual, the Axis team have each picked a highlight of 2025—moments that made them proud, connected them to artists, and reminded us why we do what we do.

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MARK SMITH (Executive Director)

Earlier this year, as part of Mental Health for Artists, we commissioned artists to reflect on resilience, self-care, and what keeps them making work in a difficult climate. I selected this because it brings together voices that are honest and grounded in lived experience, and reminds us that we are not alone in facing these challenges.

Some rejected the idea of resilience altogether. As Julie Ward writes:

“We are broken. It is ok to acknowledge that.”

Others spoke about continuing as something slow and careful. Letty McHugh reminds us:

“Sometimes, it’s just a question of picking up the pieces and holding onto them… until the time is right to make something new.”

For Larry Achiampong, keeping going is also about care and sharing. Recalling his mother’s words, he writes:

“You will tell our stories one day.”

Together, these voices remind us that we do not have to carry this alone. Together, we can keep going.

You can read the full publication here. 

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JULIAN LISTER (Directory Coordinator + Media Producer)

It was great to meet and talk with the artists about their work and experiences of the Axis Graduate Programme at this year's Praxis show in Cardiff. For many this marked their first proper exhibition outside of a university and I was impressed by the standard of the work shown and the support they gave each other.

Find out more about the Axis Graduate Exhibition here. 

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EMMA COPLEY (Community Producer)

This year I started a monthly online drawing club open to all Axis members. It is a welcoming space to meet new people, talk about drawing, or just sit together quietly and draw for an hour. Drawing is for everyone, no skills required, throw out the rules, or negative observations from past teachers - you just need some supplies and to get started. Each session begins with shared links to images, a voluntary prompt or introduction to a technique (members are welcome to take the lead on this too!). Some end up following along and others continue with their own drawing projects. Before we part ways, we share a little of what we have done, thoughts that come up while drawing, and observations about each other's work. I look forward to it every month!

Axis members can sign up to join January's Drawing Club here. 

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HARLAN WHITTINGHAM (Artist Development + Commissions Producer)

I've always gravitated towards video in my own practice and programming, so it was a real joy to bring these interests into my work at Axis.

I loved immersing myself in all of our members' videos and found curating the programme, alongside my colleagues, both a pleasure and an inspiration.

You can look at an overview of the Axis Art Film Festival here. 

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LUCY WRIGHT (Deputy Director and Social Producer)

Hosting Saad Qureshi as part of this year’s ‘Back to School with Axis’ was one of my highlights of 2025. I’ve followed his work for the longest time and loved his candour and ‘hard truths’ about sustaining a creative career in the longer term.  

You can watch Saad’s talk in the Axis Community here. 

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PAISLEY RANDELL SHILLABEER (Communications Producer)

Meeting in Sheffield during October this year was my favourite moment of 2025, and a real highlight of my first full year working for Axis. Bringing the board and team together in person for the first time was a sweet joy, considering some of the team still had not yet met in person. Visiting artist-led, collectively minded organisations embedded in their local ecology, and meeting members in their studios, reminded me why Axis exists and who it is for. I feel genuinely grateful to be part of our organisation.

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DANIELA LIBERATI (Coordinator)

In November this year, I hosted an evening meet-up in the Community titled Open Studios. The session explored the idea of dismantling the traditional notion of the artist’s studio — imagined as a romantic 1920s French atelier — and opened up a discussion around alternative realities and what an artist’s studio truly looks like today.

Many artists generously shared how even a small corner of their home becomes a personal creative space, opening up about the challenges they face and exchanging tips on finding inspiration while balancing domestic, professional, and artistic lives under one roof.

It was an honest and generous conversation, one that feels especially vital in the midst of ongoing space and cost crises that many of us are facing. I look forward to continuing to open up both the conversation and studio doors in the coming year.

Find out about our programme of meet-ups and crits in the Axis Community, here.  

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What was your highlight of 2025? 

• Let us know in the Community!

Thank you to all the artists, members, and partners who made 2025 such an inspiring year. We can’t wait to see what 2026 brings!