About
Esther is a multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker and creative producer based in Hastings, UK. Esther’s practice is social and often stems from a period of time in one place with people, amplifying lesser-heard stories and changing perceptions through film and creative action.
Esther’s recent work includes directing a series of films sharing the perspectives of neurodivergent people and caregivers with Turner Prize nominated collective Project Art Works. Her documentary directorial debut is KIN (2023), a coming of age story between two sisters and their neurodivergent autistic brother, exploring sibling relationships, family duty and care.
Esther is recipient of the BFI Doc Society Made of Truth film fund for her forthcoming documentary which is currently in production.
For Esther’s live illustration and graphic facilitation work, visit: www.esthersketches.com
Photograph by Clare Hughes
In 2016 I co-founded Quiet Down There, a charity specialising in socially engaged practice and community collaboration and am co-director with Lifesize a community interest company based in Hastings providing music and arts engagement for young people and adults.
From 2017 - 2022, I led the Support Collective at Project Art Works, an organisation that promotes the visibility of neurodiverse arts practice and the participation of individuals with complex support needs and their carers in the cultural and civic landscape. I now deliver Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope (PATH) workshops for Project Art Works’ collective of artists/makers and their circles of support.
Between 2016 - 2023, I was Artistic Director for Quiet Down There, leading on socially engaged arts projects locally and nationally including Life Through Laundry, Shopkeepers of the World and ProjectVOX. I continue my work with QDT as an associate artist in a freelance capacity.
Between 2013 – 2017, I worked as an artist educator (Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre, London, Swiss Cottage Gallery, London, De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill and Towner Gallery in Eastbourne, UK). Between 2015 - 2017 I coordinated the Learning and Participation programme at Towner Gallery in Eastbourne, UK.
In 2009 I graduated with a BA Hons in Critical Fine Art Practice from Brighton University and in 2013 I gained a Postgraduate Certificate in Post-Compulsory Education (PGCE) to support my teaching in film and media production at Dv8 Sussex (2010 - 2015).