International Women’s Day Speaker Event
Join us for a fascinating speaker event followed by viewings of two exhibitions – 20 Historical Women by Chinwe Russell and Inspiration Women of County Durham by Jilly Johnson and Marie Gardner – at Bishop Auckland Town Hall.
Hosted by Mrs Sue Snowdon, Lord Lieutenant of County Durham.
Speakers
Chinwe Russell, artist
Artist Chinwe Russell, a Nigerian-born Doncaster artist, is a renowned artistic visionary and industry leader who captivates audiences with her distinctive, emotionally evocative, big, bold narrative art that transcends borders and serves as a universal language. Chinwe Russell stands as a force in the community, passionately advocating for active involvement in the visual arts. As an artist, curator, and entrepreneur, Chinwe’s artistic journey is marked by accolades and exhibitions, showcasing her commitment to exploring historical and social narratives through impactful art.
Chinwe also founded and curates the “Celebrating our Strength in our Diversity” global exhibition annually. She is also the brains behind the global exhibition “Art as a response to mental health” which has run, sponsored by the City of Doncaster Council, for several years.
Her narrative artistic style, using bright bold colours to depict subjects, her work draws inspiration from the rich tapestry of global history, cultures, and traditions and it is said she likes to ‘challenge and confront’.
In her own words, she states, “I paint my version of history; not the way it happened, but how I imagine it could have happened. I was not there so I create the past in my own imagination. Who am I to judge what happened in the past?”.
Professor Azadeh Fatehrad, Teesside University
Professor Azadeh Fatehrad is an interdisciplinary scholar specializing in feminist historiography, visual culture, and societal integration. Her work investigates the complexities of gender, identity, and representation through a unique combination of research, artistic practice, and curatorial projects.
As the co-founder of Herstoriographies: The Feminist Media Archive Research Network in London, she is committed to uncovering and amplifying the often-overlooked narratives of women in history.
Azadeh’s projects consistently intersect with feminist themes, including her research on the National Unity of Women’sAssociations at the Archiv für Forschung und Dokumentation Iran in Berlin and Sediqeh Dowlatabadi’s Archive at the International Institute of Social History (IISH) in Amsterdam. Her dedication to feminist historiography also extends to her collaboration with the Feminist Library in London, where she developed Adventures in the Archives, a project critically reimagining women’s historical roles and contributions.
Her curatorial and artistic endeavors encompass a variety of mediums, including still and moving images, fictional stories, short films, and artist books. These works have been exhibited internationally at prestigious venues such as the Royal Academy of Arts (London), Weltkulturen Museum (Frankfurt), Moderna Museet (Stockholm), and Somerset House (London). Through these projects, Azadeh challenges societal norms and celebrates women’s agency and resilience, embodying her feminist ethos. As a Professor of Art and Public Policy and Programme Director of Empowered and Inclusive Places at the Institute for Collective Place Leadership, Teesside University, Azadeh continues to champion feminist perspectives in her work.
Sarah Price, Head of Locomotion (Science Museum Group)
Sarah has been Head of Locomotion since August 2018. In the last six years, Sarah has led on the transformation of the museum. This has included a wide range of capital projects including the building of New Hall, updating of interpretation across site, reinvigorating the museum’s programme of events and forging stronger links with the local community.
Passionate about the ability of museums to make meaningful difference to people’s lives, Sarah is committed to ensuring that Locomotion becomes a place of inspiration for young and old alike particularly this year as we celebrate 200 years of the modern railway.
Tickets
£3 (including welcome refreshments)
