This week at FORMAT Festival in Derby, you can check out the exhibition “Overture,” showcasing the works of twenty talented emerging lens-based artists, created as part of a masterclass program with GRAIN Projects, FORMAT, and Derby QUAD, that encourages meaningful discussions around themes like home, family, loss, and queer identities.

The exhibition is free to enter and will be held at Derbion, London Road, in unit SU219. The opening times are 10am to 6pm on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th March, and 10.30 am until midday on the 16th March.

The exhibiting artists are: Amina El-Edroos, Amy D’Agorne, Anu Gamanagari, Dan Moriarty, Dawn Rodgers, Ell Hammond, Gemma Briggs, Jai Toor, Johannes Pretorius, Lewis Oldham, Maria Reaney, Nicholas Priest, Philip Singleton, Rebecca Orleans, Rita Pena, Sylwia CiszewskaPeciak, Tracey Thorne, Tudor Etchells, Tyler Ashford and Valerii Konkov.

Jodi Kwok, QUAD/FORMAT Curator, said: “East Meets West is an important platform for emerging photographers, offering mentorship and reviewing sessions online and in-person for photographers to share their projects and their experience. There are many inspiring conversations and discussions throughout this year’s programme. FORMAT provides exceptional exposure, networking, and opportunities during the festival. I’m excited to see the EMW exhibition and events come together and celebrating the launch together with the rest of the FORMAT25 programme.”

Nicola Shipley, Director of GRAIN Projects, said: “The national professional development programme for artists and photographers is now in its 10th year. It has increasingly become an important space for collaboration, learning, networking and developing new opportunities. GRAIN Projects and FORMAT International Photography Festival developed East Meets West as part of their commitment to practitioners and are always impressed with the ambition and quality of the programme and the group exhibition. We are looking forward to celebrating with the participants at FORMAT25 and to seeing what the artists and photographers do next.”

Kavi Pujara, artist and East Meets West mentor, said: “I had such a fantastic day reviewing the work of this year’s cohort. The quality, depth, and ambition of the projects were truly impressive, and I was struck by the thoughtful and rigorous approaches each photographer brought to their work. It was inspiring to engage in such insightful discussions. The exhibition will be a must-see. It showcases a diverse range of compelling projects that reflects both deep personal and cultural engagement. Visitors can expect to encounter work that is thought provoking, beautifully executed, and reflective of important contemporary themes.”