For Heritage Open Day and Open House 2025 on September 14, the Royal Society of Arts opened its doors to the public. It was a unique opportunity to see the RSA’s historical House and enjoy a series of exciting events, free tours, archival displays, and artist talks.
As a Fellow of the RSA, I was invited to participate in a panel discussion during the programme of talks around the RSA Summer Exhibition where my series Migration was being shown.
The panel was led by creative director Andrew Etherington and we explored the question What happens when artists from different disciplines work together? I was joined by dancer and choreographer Max Gershon, a long time collaborator of mine and the artist with whom I made my Migration series, and we had an inspiring conversation about the power of collaboration in contemporary art.
From blending practices to navigating creative tension, this conversation delved into how artistic voices—distinct yet complementary—can intersect to produce something entirely new.
Thanks so much to the RSA for inviting us and hosting this powerful discussion.
Panel:
JC Candanedo is a queer, Catalan-Panamanian socially-engaged multidisciplinary artist and photographer. He uses photographic processes, mixed-media and performance to investigate issues of identity, migration and displacement, and participate in collaborative projects and community-based initiatives that promote social change. His practice explores how the arts can be used to bring attention to issues that might otherwise go unnoticed and create a sense of solidarity and connection among people who share common struggles.
Max Gershon is a movement based artist, In his practice he combines dance with other disciplines such as fine art, theatre and fashion to explore form and create an individual style. He has performed for Paris fashion week, London Fashion week and New York Fashion Week for companies such as Burberry, A-Cold-Wall and KaWaKey. Collaborations include both national and international artists and companies such as Tate Modern, UUstudios and Shane Bradford Studios.
Andrew Etherington has been in the art world for almost 20 years, spanning public museums, international galleries and community arts platforms. He joined Art Forward as Creative Director in Spring 2024, following four years as Director of Bermondsey Project Space in Central London. His projects have a particular focus on arts education and community projects platforming underrepresented voices.
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