03/09/2024

Winner of last year’s Creative Residency Prize, Francesca Hummler is a German-American visual artist, writer, researcher, and curator working with photography currently based in London, England. In this blog, she shares her experience working with the National Justice Museum during her residency.

I’m honoured to return to the National Justice Museum to help judge this year’s "Picture This" competition. Last year, I was thrilled to win the residency prize for my image "All on Her Own" from my series "Our Dollhouse" under the theme of "Freedom." It was an incredible experience that deepened my connection to the themes of human rights and justice and challenged me to consider the powerful role art can play in illuminating these issues. This year, the competition theme is "Hope," and I am excited to see how artists interpret this powerful and universal concept.

I’d like to share a bit about my experience working at the National Justice Museum during my residency last spring. The museum is such a unique space—it’s steeped in history and dedicated to exploring justice and human rights in ways that feel both timeless and urgently contemporary. When I arrived, I knew I wanted to work on a project that tackled these themes, especially as they pertain to my home country of the United States.

As an American artist, I felt compelled to explore an issue that was both personal and politically resonant. This led me to develop my series, "Looking for Guerrero", which focuses on the experiences of D.A.C.A. (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients in the U.S. Through this work, I wanted to explore the complexities of national identity and belonging, particularly how the concept of citizenship can profoundly impact an individual's freedom.

D.A.C.A., introduced in 2012 under the Obama administration, aimed to provide temporary relief from deportation to certain undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children—often referred to as "Dreamers." My collaborator and former partner, Miguel Luna, is one such Dreamer. Despite working, paying taxes, and living in the U.S. for over 24 years, Miguel has no viable pathway to secure immigration status. This lack of certainty means that Miguel is barred by law from freely leaving the U.S., unable to visit me while I live abroad, or even return to his birthplace of Guerrero, Mexico.

Through "Looking for Guerrero", we explore not just the personal impact of these policies but also the broader implications for human rights. The constant threat of D.A.C.A.'s repeal and the possibility of deportation have forced Miguel to consider drastic measures, such as joining the Mexican military—a path that mirrors his father's journey before emigrating from Guerrero. This potential reversal of his parent's search for a better life underscores the harsh realities faced by many Dreamers and highlights the negligence of the American government in providing them with a secure future.

During my residency at the National Justice Museum, I had the incredible opportunity to display my work in the Double Cell space. I showcased my images alongside two fabric pieces and poems I had written, which were illustrated by my collaborator. The museum staff were exceptionally supportive, providing valuable feedback and engaging in meaningful conversations about topics ranging from inclusion within the art world to managing neurodiversity in creative spaces. I felt incredibly accepted as an artist who works differently at times because of my ADHD. This environment allowed me to experiment with my display and even helped me achieve a unique presentation of my work, including cutting one of my images into an oval shape—a format I had not previously been able to explore.

The experience of installing my work in such a historically rich and thought-provoking setting helped me to further refine my project and clarify the direction I wanted to take. The residency at the National Justice Museum was more than just an opportunity to create—it was a chance to reflect on how art can provoke thought, encourage empathy, and inspire action.

I'm also thrilled to share that my series "Looking for Guerrero" is currently on view at the Association for Visual Arts (AVA) in South Africa as part of the group exhibition "Unbinding Histories". This exhibition, curated by Cagla Demirbas, showcases the work of seven international women photographers exploring themes of identity, heritage, and history from a female perspective. It's an honour to have my work displayed alongside such talented artists as we all examine complex narratives through our unique lenses. Additionally, the fabric pieces I created during my residency at the National Justice Museum have traveled to South Africa for this show highlighting the shared human desire for belonging and understanding across borders. "Unbinding Histories" is on display in the Mezzanine Gallery from August 22 to October 3, 2024.

As I look forward to this year’s submissions under the theme of "Hope," I am eager to see how artists will bring their unique perspectives to bear on such a vital topic. Hope is a concept that resonates deeply, especially in the context of justice and human rights. It is a force that drives us to seek better futures, challenge injustices, and believe in the possibility of change. I’m excited to see how artists will interpret this theme and what new insights and inspirations they will bring to light.

Judging this year’s competition, I will be keeping in mind not only the technical and artistic qualities of the submissions but also the potential of each artist to benefit from the residency experience in Nottingham. The National Justice Museum offers a unique space for artists and visitors alike to draw new conclusions about the history around them and the possibilities for the future.

I encourage everyone considering submitting to the competition to think deeply about the theme of "Hope" and how it can be expressed in ways that are personal, provocative, and powerful. I look forward to reviewing the entries and discovering the voices that will help shape our understanding of justice and human rights in the years to come.

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Picture This: Hope is open for submissions until Wednesday 25 September 2024. All entries will be displayed in an exhibition at the National Justice Museum in November 2024. 

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