SHIFT: Exodus Crooks

In this SHIFT film, Crooks explains their philosophy of art education, and education more broadly, as being rooted in care, enabling an understanding of the self and others underscored by empathy, community, and connection.

Crooks also discusses their findings from their MA in art and education practices and experience as a freelance art educator, and how they apply these within the art classroom. 

They discuss working with institutions and schools to introduce projects that centre care as a means to empower students and break the cycle of apathy that has stifled the British educational system through empathy and democratic decision-making.

Exodus Crooks is a British-Jamaican artist currently working between Birmingham and Kingston. They have been an educator for the last six years and an artist for as long as they can remember, formally studying art throughout high school and college, before pursuing graphics at university.

During their time as a Black Hole Club artist, they have used a residency at The New Art Gallery Walsall and commissions for GRAIN Projects, the Film and Video Umbrella and The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, as opportunities to experiment with photography, filmmaking, performance and writing.

This film is part of SHIFT, Freelands Foundation’s quarterly series of short films spotlighting varied practices, approaches and philosophies within art education. 

Captions and editing: Sixbetween.

All audiovisual material and research is courtesy of the artist.