Ria Hartley
Ria Hartley is an interdisciplinary artist, researcher, activist and educator based in Manchester. Their work is located within the fields of Live Art and Contemporary performance practices taking forms described as devised theatre; time-based visual performance; site-specific; 1:1 & intimate works; socially engaged; durational; interventions; ritual; performance art; internet and screen based; still and moving image and installation.
Hartley’s work is focused in four main areas: work for and of the self; work to share with audiences; collaboration and co-creation; and new models and practices of production for empowering creative communities. They also work as a consultant & mentor, facilitate and lead workshops, present talks, and develop pedagogy. They are currently working on my writing practice and developing new methods for writing as a neurodiverse person. Working closely with mentor Rajni Shah, they will be developing series of writings accompanied by still and moving image works over the next year. Their writing year has been generously supported by the Futures Venture Foundation; Radical Independent Artist Fund.
Hartley was an associate lecturer in BA Theatre at Falmouth University (2010 – 2013) and was a visiting artist lecturer for BA Theatre: Performance at Plymouth University (2012). They have delivered various training in devised theatre, media and performance and site-specific performance. Current & recent projects include The Genetic Body Series (2012 – 2021) Look No Further (2019) commissioned by In-Between Time, Fierce Festival & The Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, Untouchable (2016) commissioned by Contact Flying Solo Festival, Descansos (2016) My Brothers Father (2015) commissioned by hAb Arts, RECALL(2014) presented at SPILL National Platform 2014 & Showcase 2015 & City of Women Festival 2016, SPIT KIT (2015) presented at Fierce Festival, Steakhouse Live, InIVA) Matilda and Me (UK Tour 2014) The Representational Body (2014).
Hartley is a fellow of Birmingham Open Media (BOM) and a fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and is currently studying as an Apprentice Breathwork Practitioner (ABP). They have created the initiative ecologies of care, empowering artists and arts workers who have Access Requirements with the tools and support to articulate and express them.
