Workers' Rights & Social Justice Week | Artist social media takeover

As part of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Workers’ Rights & Social Justice Week, CCA is hosting a social media takeover by artist James Ashe. James works within the themes of LGBT rights, reproductive rights, the legacy of the Troubles in the post-ceasefire generation, mental health, architecture, and built heritage.

From Friday 1 May 2020 at 10am, James will be taking over our Instagram and Twitter pages to introduce his practice and the research behind his upcoming project about mental health and the arts called Honest Portraits. This project is in response to an article by the BBC in 2018 stating “Depression is 3 times more likely in the creative industries” in Northern Ireland. James’ project aims to open conversations and cover themes including imposter syndrome, overworking, lack of opportunities, money, uncertainty, self-gratification and recognition.

You will be able to see Honest Portraits later in the year with the University of Atypical for the iDA award open to disabled and deaf artists throughout NI, and is funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the National Lottery Heritage Fund and James will be also designing an Edition for CCA in the coming months.

From Monday 27 April 2020 until Saturday 2 May 2020, Derry Trades Union Council (DTUC) with support from Derry City & Strabane District Council and partners will present an online programme of events, talks and discussions which reflect current and historical Workers Rights & Social Justice campaigns in the local, national and international contexts.

The online programme will culminate in a day of mass action from homes and workplaces on Friday 1st of May where people can show their solidarity with frontline workers. Many of the workers now described as ‘key’ and ‘essential’ earn poverty pay, have seen their terms and conditions eroded and have been forced to strike for basic rights. Many Frontline workers face PPE shortages and dangerous conditions at work.

For this week James has also created PLAKAT, a DIY Protest Instructable, which you can read about and download from here.