Miss Represented Exhibition & Screening Puts Young Women in the Picture

A group of young women taking part in Miss Represented, Brighton Dome’s award-winning creative learning project, are staging an exhibition and film screening at the Depot in Lewes from 30 July to 4 August 2019.

Mirror Mirror explores identity and perception faced by young women today and the many different sides to how they present themselves to the outside world on social media and how the world views them back. The group of 15 young women aged between 13 and 20, took part in creative workshops and discussions developing artwork and music that expresses their ideas, experiences and reflections of themselves and the world around them. The exhibition presents a thought-provoking insight into their lives using photography, spoken word, music and installation.

Miss Rep member Kayley, aged 15 said:

I started Miss Rep in April. It's really helping with my confidence and anxiety. Creating the exhibition has given me a chance to tell a bit of my story. It feels good to be part of something where you don't have to hide your feelings and I like how it raises awareness about our experiences.

Initiated by Brighton Dome eight years ago, the Miss Represented arts collective has worked with hundreds of young women across Brighton & Hove who face challenging life situations. The project was awarded The Argus Community Star 2019 contribution to Arts and Culture and is a collaboration between artists, performers and youth workers to help young women with their personal development, to create positive social change and spark dialogue across communities.

The exhibition will launch with a screening of Can You See Me Now?, a film documenting the 2017 Miss Rep group when they took their highly charged performances on tour across the UK. Depicting the highs and lows of their experiences, from writing their own lyrics to performing in front of audiences for the first time, the film is an emotional and inspirational account of how the project has made an impact on their lives, their families, communities and their futures. The screening will follow with live performances and Q&A session with the Miss Rep team and young women who appeared in the film.

Rebecca Fidler, Miss Represented Creative Project Lead commented:

It has been incredible to witness the personal journeys of so many young women over the last eight years we've been running the project. They've been honest and courageous to open up their lives to the world, making connections and telling stories that we all need to hear.

Miss Represented has received generous support from several funders, including the Big Lottery Fund and the John Thaw Foundation. Further funding is now being sought to continue the project and help support more young women across the city. The film screening is by voluntary contribution, with money raised going towards the project.

Miss Represented: Mirror Mirror & film screening
Launch evening: Tue 30 July, 6pm followed at 8pm, with Can You See Me Now? film screening, performances and Q&A. Pay What You Feel.

Exhibition open: Thu 1 Aug 1pm – 6pm, Fri 2 Aug to Sun 4 Aug, 10am-6pm. Free admission.

Depot, Pinwell Road, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2JS
Enquiries: 01273 525354
Web: Lewesdepot.org