‘Socially Engaged’ Photographers appointed by University

Photo caption: The image above shows one of the new photographers Anoosh Ariamehr (left) running a workshop at RHS Garden Bridgewater. 

The three specialist roles are part of the University of Salford Art Collection’s residency OFFSHOOT with the RHS and Open Eye Gallery, which will culminate in special exhibitions at RHS Garden Bridgewater and Salford Museum and Art Gallery next year.

Fiona Robinson, Liz Lock and Anoosh Ariamehr have been selected to work regularly at RHS Garden Bridgewater with different groups from the Salford community. They will lead photography-related workshops and activities inspired by the gardens and gardening in general.

Work from all three artists will be shared throughout 2025-2026, with events and exhibitions planned at the RHS, Open Eye Gallery, University campus and Salford Museum & Art Gallery.

Lindsay Taylor, Curator of the University of Salford Art Collection, said “The project draws together creativity, wellbeing and nature and pairs artists with local communities to develop new skills and creativity through photography.

“Open Eye Gallery Liverpool are national specialists in socially engaged photography, and they helped us to select Fiona, Liz and Anoosh for these important roles. Each of them will work with different members of the community, to help them find new ways of enjoying nature through photography, at the same time as helping them to explore RHS Bridgewater too.”

University of Salford MA graduate Fiona Robinson and current MA student Anoosh Ariamehr will work with RHS Garden Bridgewater’s wellbeing and community groups who attend via socially prescribed programmes.  Fiona and Anoosh have both studied on the University of Salford’s Socially Engaged Practice MA which is delivered jointly with Open Eye Gallery Liverpool.

Salford based Liz Lock specialises in photography, portraiture, book-making, and community and socially engaged practice. Liz will develop work with Salford Youth Service.

Sarah Fisher, Executive Director of Open Eye Gallery added: “Open Eye Gallery is delighted to work in this fantastic partnership to celebrate communities' relationships with nature. Socially engaged photography means the collaborative process is just as important as the final product, and we hope that OFFSHOOT will inspire more people to reflect on nature and wellbeing through photography.”

Daniel  Atherton at RHS Garden Bridgwater added: “The RHS are really pleased to be broadening our relationships with our project partners by appointing three socially engaged photographers to the OFFSHOOT project. Bringing more people into the garden allows us to engage with new audiences in a meaningful way, both through participation in the projects and with the exhibition programme that will follow in 2026.” 

The socially engaged photographers will work alongside internationally acclaimed artist Yan Wang Preston. She was appointed RHS Bridgewater’s first ever artist in residence in 2024, as part of the OFFSHOOT project with University of Salford and Open Eye Gallery Liverpool.

The University of Salford Art Collection contains over 900 items including work by L S Lowry and Bridget Riley, and is the catalyst for a range of scholarships, collaborative commissions and cultural partnerships with organisations from across the North West.

For more information about the RHS Garden Bridgewater Artist in Residence programme and upcoming events, visit: RHS Bridgewater and University announce new artist in residence | University of Salford

OFFSHOOT is a collaboration between University of Salford Art Collection, RHS Garden Bridgewater and Open Eye Gallery Liverpool and is generously supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

The project is already providing unique opportunities for students, staff, and local communities to engage with one of the UK’s most beautiful gardens through art, at the same time contributing to the University’s goal of enriching lives through innovation.