Shazia Bibi
Actor, Writer, Producer
Freelance
Tell us about yourself
I describe myself as a multi-disciplinary creative developing and learning as an actor, writer, producer and project manager. All of us are more than our qualifications, background, appearance and experiences. We are more than labels and tick boxes. I want to be part of a movement which dismantles a misrepresentative ecology. I feel it is very important to question the systems we live and work in and to challenge the status quo. I believe in conscious decision-making and to understand our conscious and unconscious bias in order to make changes & decisions.
Why do you think it’s important to see artistic response to social and political events?
It is important to support artistic responses to social and political events because I feel it is important to hold people accountable to what they say and do in society. Since the rise of the internet and social media, accessing information has become an easier task for those who can get access to these privileges. Therefore, I feel it is important to recognise the misuse of information can affect social and political events and source authenticity is becoming weak. Artists can create a revolution in giving messages to audiences in varied artistic forms and reach people worldwide.
The most beautiful aspect of artistic expression is that it is subjective. And, no matter how much societal structures want to keep you in a box, one needs to keep pushing through the tick boxes and labels to create work. For an artist/company to be bolder and authentic in their creativity requires support and guidance.
We as creatives cannot hide away from the truths that we are currently facing; there are racial bias systems in place, class affects the opportunities you are part off, rise of White supremacy and White fragility exists, discrimination on your gender/sexuality exists, lack of employment, identifying healthy relationships, understanding consent in platonic and romantic relationships and so much more is happening.
Arts, politics and every day life go hand in hand.
The Steering Committee
The company directors and panel are involved on an individual capacity, not representing their organisations and on a voluntary basis.
If you are interested in joining the panel in future please email Kathryn Bilyard on kathryn@artcry.co.uk with some information about yourself and why you are interested.