Events
From the Foundations is an initiative inspired by the work and values of Joe Woodhouse (1971–2022). His career as an artist and educator was characterised by a collaborative approach, a commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, and research into innovative pedagogies and approaches to art and design education. The events are part of a commemorative series in Sunderland’s galleries and cultural venues, continuing the conversations he cared deeply about and creating spaces for reflection, learning, and discussion.
Inviting contributions from art historians, writers, educators, and researchers across and beyond the field of art education, the series will be framed around six key titles: Equity, Structure, Experiment, Community, Site, and Change. This structure will support an understanding of how art education has evolved alongside political, social, and cultural shifts, and help identify paths forward that are informed by both historical context and contemporary practice. The discussions will examine how art education can evolve to better meet the needs of artists, addressing topics from the changing use and significance of studio spaces to equitable access and collaborative learning. In doing so, the series aims to generate a wider conversation on how experimentation, inclusivity, and collaborative action can inform and influence the future of art education.
The series will conclude with a publication that gathers highlights and reflections from the events, contributing to ongoing discussions about the future of art education. In addition, selected materials from the programme will be shared on the From the Foundations website. Together, these resources will support the ongoing and evolving exchange of ideas, extending the conversations initiated through the series.
Current and Upcoming Events
Sunderland, SR1 1RE
8 October – 31 October 2025
Wed – Sat, 12:00 – 16:00
Preview: 3 October, 18:00 – 20:00
Joe Woodhouse
From the Foundations
We are pleased to present the first retrospective of Joe Woodhouse’s work at Abject Gallery.
The exhibition features key artworks from our archive, tracing the trajectory of his artistic practice, including early photographic works of his carefully constructed architectural structures for which he became known. These are shown alongside later drawings, notes and plans, offering a unique insight into his working processes.
The works foreground Joe’s engagement with ideas of the replica and reproduction, approached through architectural and cinematic modes of making. In his recreated urban settings, which incorporate multiple stages of reconstruction and replication, the works explore the interplay between the real and the fabricated and prompt reflection on both collective and personal experiences of the built environment, as well as the ways in which such structures function as mnemonic devices. The later drawings and large-scale prints echo his early works while extending the focus to the processes and modalities of art making.
Upcoming: Symposium – Equity: Barriers and Pathways in Art and Design Education
Saturday 25 October 2025, 13:30 – 17:40
Venue: Abject Gallery
This symposium will be exploring equity in art and design education through talks, presentations and discussion. Contributors examine the barriers to access and participation and consider how creative institutions might reshape their practices toward greater equity. Part of the broader commemorative series honouring Joe Woodhouse, the event continues conversations and approaches he valued throughout his practice.
Free to attend, all welcome. A guided walk through the exhibition will also take place on the day.
Stay Updated
The symposiums will be held at various venues across the North East of England from 2025 to 2027. Subscribe below to stay updated on events, venues, dates, and speakers as they are announced throughout the course of this project.
