The Regen Art Lab’s artist residencies are interdisciplinary collaborations between our clean energy experts and UK-based, early career artists.
This year’s theme:
Celebrating changemakers
The energy transition away from fossil fuels, to a net zero and just energy system, is a societal paradigm shift – undoubtedly a powerful discussion topic in which there are infinitely many exciting, multifaceted, topics to explore.
This year we are focusing on theme of “celebrating changemakers”. Through storytelling of the adversities and successes of the energy transition so far, this residency aims to increase awareness of the important work that is happening by putting the spotlight on some of the unsung heroes of the energy transition.
In particular, some communities have taken collective action to address climate change through delivery of community-led renewable energy, and other sustainability and fuel poverty alleviation projects. These organisations, known as community energy groups, have consistently acted as the social conscience of the energy system, holding the wider sector to account and help ensure a just transition where no one is left behind.
Despite the trailblazing work community energy groups do, awareness of the movement among the general public remains low. (See research by Regen on behalf of ClimateXChange, “Leveraging local and community energy for a just transition in Scotland”, page 21)
Meet the artist, Polly Meyrick
Read Polly's welcome blogPolly is an artist, musician and farm worker.
Polly’s art spans drawing, printmaking, music, and participatory installations to create accessible, community-centred art. Polly often uses portraiture and interviews to convey personal narratives and previous work has focused on climate change, food security, and human connection. Empathy is at the heart of this, which has been strengthened by her experience with an invisible disability.
Polly’s work is underlined by interdisciplinary research. She is currently part of Bristol University’s Personal to the Planetary (P2P) Community Fellowship. The programme brings together a group from a range of professions to focus on inclusive, sustained engagement with the climate emergency. She was also a resident at Kaleider in Exeter, where she researched climate change communication, behaviour change, and the role of the arts in this. This work strengthened her dedication to telling localised human stories and humanising data.
Polly is also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist/vocalist and an innovative composer, songwriter and arranger. She has featured on BBC Introducing and partakes in collaborations, commissions and session work spanning genres including jazz, electronic, soul, hip-hop, folk and neo-classical.
What is Regen’s expertise on this theme? Regen takes a holistic approach to the energy system, focusing on the entire landscape rather than isolating specific technologies or treating sectors as silos. By adopting a comprehensive view, we address the key strategic challenges of the energy transition. Convening the sector is central to this; since our inception, we have been uniting practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to drive progress. Our membership program is a vital part of this effort, supporting a vibrant community committed to shaping the future of energy.
What is the brief? The residency brings together energy industry experts with an artist to work collaboratively. The residency brief is to share stories from multiple ‘changemakers’ via a portrait series. The aim is showcase the tangible, yet nuanced nature of the energy transition as it happens. By holding a mirror to society the works will invite the viewer to make their own informed opinions; it is not the aim of the residency that the final works are a mouthpiece for Regen’s views, nor the artists.
How is the residency structured?
- The first half of the residency is focused on research. Guided by experts, the artist conducts research on the theme. By the end of the 5 weeks, a final art concept developed.
- The second half of the residency is focused on the collaborative exchange between the energy experts and the artist as they develop the artworks.
The results of the residency are shared at a reception event exhibiting the final works. This includes a Q&A session showcasing the collaborative experience.
For further questions contact Regen Art Lab’s programme manager, Sophie, at swhinney@regen.co.uk