Tom is a socially engaged documentary photographer that seeks to understand his life through the lens of others. His work tells stories of people that he wants to know more about and that often do not have a voice, and he expresses those stories in a way that he would want his own to be told. This results in honest and authentic images which have a narrative which he then also writes about as part of his practice. . This methodology often culminates in presenting the stories for publication – to date Tom has published in The Guardian, on the BBC homepage, interviewed for BBC Points West amongst others.

Public Programme

While Tom is in residence at Broadwalk, he will use the space as a free photographic portrait studio for anyone that wants to come in to visit him. The public will be able to walk in, and if there is space, get a portrait that he will provide to them via digital means. Tom will also invite well known local people (such as politicians, councillors) within the community so that they can experience the Broadwalk and relate to the people that use it. Tom will carry out all the photographs in the space and work on them whilst there. His time in Shoe Zone will culminate in an exhibition of portraits taken during the ‘residency’ – inviting all participants to come and see their pictures printed out and displayed.

Gary Topp Executive Director of the Arnolfini, Bristol

Gary Topp has been the Arnolfini s Executive Director since February 2019 taking the organisation through a period significant change and progress to re-establish Arnolfini as a leading UK centre for contemporary arts in a partnership with University of the West of England. He has been chief executive of a range of cultural organisations across the UK and in Australia over a 30- year career including Yorkshire Culture, Greening Australia and Culture Central. Gary began his career as a visual arts curator and museums manager in Dorset and Teesside. He has extensive leadership experience working within the context of social and economic change and placemaking. He is Chair of Trustees at the Leach Pottery, an FRSA and holds a number of other board and advisory roles.