Period
2017
Proposed by
Claire Doherty
Location
Various locations in the UK
About the project
Work Out was initiated by Phoebe Davies and sex educator Gareth Esson working with male sports teams and coaches to explore male privilege, masculinity, gender politics, and radical sex education.
Through an embedded research process we aim to create spaces for men to challenge patriarchal structures and histories, amplifying the need to take action and mobilize against ingrained toxic/hyper-masculinity.
Following my work with the artist-led sex-education group Bedfellows, I have extensive experience using artistic tools to engage broad communities in these themes, from educational workshops and DIY print campaigns to live performances, club nights and radio shows.
I’m interested in the potential of how/where we choose to share urgent political work, and the power broad audiences hold in striving for equality in society.
Work Out began as a research project with university sports teams in SouthEast England. Through 2019-20 we aim to continue this work with intergenerational communities in SouthWales, working across sectors and building relationships with sports clubs and sports TV networks.
This research uses workshops merging methodologies from sports coaches, artists, and activists, opening up personal conversations supporting male-led feminist dialogue exploring how location, context, and history shape gender identity. These are developed into collaborative video, soundtrack and print works which are activated in public spaces (subverting screens/billboards/speakers in sports grounds, gyms or stadiums).
This work engages expanded audiences (predominately male athletes/sports fans) who may not easily/choose to access these themes. Utilizing public space to create counter-narratives to the violent, sexist perceptions of masculinities we receive from mainstream media.
Work Out took place in Cardiff & the Valleys (South Wales), London (SE England), Merseyside (NE England).
External links
About the artist
Davies is a Welsh artist and researcher. Her practice investigates people’s perceptions of their social framing, exploring collaborative models of working across mediums. Her process is research-led, often constructing social spaces and interventions with communities and peers: from DJ dance parties in elderly care homes to feminist nail salons or performances in boxing gyms. Her work is shown nationally and internationally. In 2015 she was awarded the BritishCouncil Social Practice Fellowship.
