Film and Video Umbrella is currently working with the London-based artist Eileen Perrier as part of the Free to Air Development Artists programme. This 4 year long annual bursary programme invites two London-based artists, who are selected by a panel, through an open submission, the opportunity of a six-month mentoring and research development programme with Film and Video Umbrella.

Eileen Perrier’s development bursary with Film and Video Umbrella involves a shift in medium from her usual practice of photography. For over a decade, Perrier’s primarily portrait-based photographs have exhibited widely in the UK and abroad. In the six months that she will be working with Film and Video Umbrella, however, she will be gathering material (and picking up additional know-how) for what will be her first film project, provisionally entitled ‘Send and Receive’. This work in progress will record an equally evolving process, namely the to-and-fro of cherished goods and other personal items between countries of origin and countries of residence, which follows in the wake of people migrating abroad. A filmed discussion event, also called ‘Send and Receive’, taking place at 198 Contemporary Arts & Learning in September, will provide a focus for this research, and a platform for an exchange of stories and material.

Eileen Perrier was born in London where she lives and works. After graduating from The Royal College, her work has been widely exhibited since 1999, including
The Photographers’ Gallery, London and Tate Britain, London, UK. Her work was also part of the touring exhibition ‘Africa Remix’, which included the
Hayward Gallery, London and The Centre Pompidou, Paris. In 2008 The Whitechapel Gallery commissioned Perrier to take part in ‘The Street’ — a year-long series of artists’ commissions on and around Wentworth Street. This year, Perrier will be doing a residency in collaboration with Autograph ABP and Light Work, USA.

As part of this programme Perrier will hold an Open Dialogue/Performance entitled ‘Send and Receive’ on Saturday the 26th of September at 12 - 4pm at 198 Contemporary Arts & Learning. For more details of this event please visit the Free to Air website.