Artist Statement – Alex Billingham

Pulling together Visual arts / Live art / Theatre / Film / Digital / Sculptural elements to form the core of my diverse practice. Working with a diverse range of people from – the Neuroscience / computer science departments of the University of Birmingham – Dance and Movement groups – Museum collections – Video game designers and more.

Currently exploring ideas around Permaculture in relation to how we continue to connect with our planet. Considering how ‘Othered’ Bodies connect to the landscape. Following intergalactic Lay lines. The physical location where my work is made / shown acts as a collaborator, guiding how it grows and where it leads me. What happens when we retreat to the Neon caverns?

Based in the West Midlands with an international practice, often pulling from my own lived experience of being Disabled, Trans, Neurodiverse and Queer to make space for everyone. Seeing how these identities collide and intermingle with the world we all live in.

Constantly adapting to whichever medium best delivers the research, play and experimentation which drives my practice. Learning new skills to take ideas forward while allowing time for research to bleed back into my work.

Survival underpins a lot of what I do. Playing with possible tomorrows to find better ways for us all to survive into the future.

As my mobility gradually decreases due to a climbing injury and my body alters as I transition, I push myself to see where the borderlines of my body are, stripping away all my supports to leave tender moments.

Intrigued by the points where Nuclear technology and our fear of it meet, with a particular fascination with the fetishization of Nuclear dread in Western media. Revisiting how we connect with it through a queer perspective. Nurturing an obsession with outdated hopes for the future.

Enjoying an analogue approach to manipulating digital technology, this allows me to realize a low-fi visual style, binding grime with glitter to make beautifully dirty work. I use a mix of technology from homemade Theremins to Digital Synthesizers to build up audio landscapes which augments my visual work. Recreating the Radiophonic soundscapes drawn from childhood memories of sci-fi.

An alumnus of Vivid Projects artist development program Black Hole Club, Studio holder at STRYX Gallery as of 2021 and member of Eastside Projects EOP.

Exhibited internationally with Auckland university of technology and Indus Valley school of art – Karachi. Performing nationally for Tate St Ives / Northen Stage – Newcastle / ]performancespace[ -Folkestone / Little Wolf Parade -Nottingham / Camden peoples Theatre – London / Fierce festival – Birmingham / Contact theatre -Manchester / Edited Arts -London / SHOUT – Birmingham / Provisional Act theatre – The Swan Theatre Worcester / MAC – Birmingham / Birmingham hippodrome / Eastside projects – Birmingham.

Acquired by The New Art Gallery Walsall for their permanent collection.

SMQB artist in residence 2023

Reiterating the need for vulnerability.