Ensemble explores creative Audio Description as a collaborative art form and accessible communication tool, challenging audiences to experience artworks with their minds in an audio-based group exhibition, supported by Arts Council England. 

Ensemble is a group exhibition advocating for the potential of audio description to alter and enhance how we experience art and exhibitions. The artworks in the exhibition will be audio-described from multiple perspectives but not present in their original form. These audio artworks will be interpreted, translated and recreated uniquely in the imagination of visitors, who are not only participants in the artwork, but also the co-creators. 

The artworks described have been chosen because of their importance to the artist’s past, present and future practice. None of the artworks have ever been exhibited before so are unknown to visitors, other participating artists and curators. 

We hope that by shifting away from a visually dominated environment, Ensemble allows audiences time to contemplate, reflect and ponder.

In partnership with APT Gallery, Deptford, Ensemble will be available online and include a pay-what-you-can events programme with public workshops. These workshops aim to give audiences the opportunity to learn about audio description through collaborative group activities. 

Participating artists: Louise Ashcroft, Cash Aspeek, Terence Birch, Fran Cottell, Colin Lievens, Aaron McPeake.

Independent artwork descriptions produced by Collective Agency, written by Joe Rizzo Naudi, edited by Sasha Galitzine, after conversations with Jen Calleja, Nicole Clif, Timna Fibert, Ella Frears, Annie Hayter and Autumn Sharkey.

Ensemble is curated by Hettie James & Stephanie Farmer and is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

Project Management by Hettie James.