About me

October 10th, 2020

Do you some good in the neighbourhood like I should

I am an artist and researcher intrigued by actions of good purpose. I have used writing, performative scenarios, moving image and visual messages in my work. Usually I work outside the gallery, with my role sometimes overt, sometimes not. I am influenced by grassroots and DIY and excited by artists as active, peripatetic inquirers. I work to reveal empowering responses to the world, with opportunities to connect with others.

I grew up with parents working from home as information designers, concerned with how messages are conveyed and understood. Collaborating with and learning alongside my children has become a core strand to my practice. I operate independently and in shared arrangements, with sensitivity to challenges across backgrounds and disciplines. I am glad to have been involved in endeavours of all scales, for a variety of organisations.

Over the past twenty years I have worked for arts organisations such as Arnolfini, Watershed and Picture This. I was a consultant for Newham Council through the 2012 Olympics, in strategic and engagement projects with young people. I ran Flourish, showcasing the creativity of cared-for children, collaborating with The Foundling Museum and The Southbank Centre. In 2013 I was commissioned to make new work for the Whitstable Biennale Fringe. We took part in the Mothership family residency in 2016, initiated by Anna Best: screening our film about socialism for Force 8. I contributed to events for This is not a gateway at Hanbury Hall and Native at the Hoxton Gallery. In 2018 I was Lead Researcher for Jordan Baseman’s Radio Influenza, funded by The Wellcome Trust. In 2019 I supported the work of the Isotype archive at Reading University in partnership with The House of Illustration. In 2020 I became an Arts Council artistic and quality assessor.

Beatty Hallas is an artist living in Reading