Medway Superstars is a 51zero project, funded by Arts Council England, that highlights the creative talents of artists based in Medway, presented through filmed portraits made by 51zero’s Artistic Director, Margherita Gramegna. The name ’51zero’ refers to the geographical coordinates of Medway.
It showcases and maps the creative talents of artists based across Medway – from those in the early stages of their careers, to those who are internationally renowned.
Medway Superstars is STAGE 1 in the development of Medway Artists Portrait Platform (MAPP) advocating for the value of the artist’s role in local urban and cultural regeneration.
MAPP will be delivered in three stages (Between 2023 – 2030). The aim is to represent all of Medway’s artists by 2030 (end year of the present Culture Strategy, that was written collaboratively and led by Creative Medway). We will also create a tool for future artists to be included in MAPP post 2030.
Artistic representations often reflect societal values, beliefs, and identities, that are universally relevant. By showcasing locally based artists’ work internationally,
MAPP contributes to a broader dialogue on cultural exchange and exemplifies the
interconnectedness of artistic expression across borders.
MAPP is about Medway artists. By ‘Medway artists’ we mean anyone who practises an art form as their career and has a strong connection with the area. They should have contributed to or currently be contributing to Medway’s cultural landscape with their art practice. This includes those in the early stages of their careers to those who are internationally renowned. This can be in any medium; visual arts, music, digital arts, theatre, dance, poetry, writing, sculpture, (and more!), whether that’s two-dimensional, three-dimensional, or digital media.
MAPP STAGE 1: Medway Superstars
What has happened so far
For Stage 1, we selected 10 submissions from over 50 responses to our Open Call in 2023.
SELECTION
An advisory panel consisting of local and external practitioners across the creative sector supported Margherita to select the artists. Decisions were based on artistic practice, reflecting local diversity and trying to achieve a geographic spread across Medway. The selection of applicants aimed for inclusivity with a view to curating a piece for Stage 1, that is representative of the ambition for MAPP
MICHI MASUMI
Photo: Margherita Gramegna
© Courtesy of 51zero, photo by 51zero
Each selected artist was invited to an informal discussion with Margherita about how their film would be shaped.
She worked with them to capture the essence of who they are and what they do. Working with Oliver Parkin, Director of Photography, the process was an artistic one. Interviews were both formal and playful, expressing each artists’ relationship with the space they work in, the place that most resonates with them, and their ambition for culture in Medway over the next 10 years.
51zero will produce a filmed portrait of each artist (5 – 10 minutes long) which will be available to view on our website and as an installation featuring all 10 artists at Estuary Festival 2025.
Each participating artist will receive a digital copy of their interview to use for their own digital platforms and publicity
