FORMAT is delighted to announce the appointment of Khatun as the Historic England’s artist in residence in Leicester. The residency is for Picturing England’s High Streets, a three-year project as part of the national cultural programme for Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zones.

Khatun will work with local people to reimagine the high street, creating a contemporary portrait of Leicester and producing images which will become part of the Historic England Archive. Khatun’s work explores the modernity of Britain’s identity and past notions of heritage and heritage sites.

Khatun says: ‘Communities have always been at the forefront of my creative practice. Having been born and bred in the same house, on the same street, in

Leicester, for nineteen years, instilled a deep sense of love for my city and for my surroundings. My intentions for my artistic endeavours remained consistent: to create participatory art that is engaging, liberating, and for it to carry a love ofand for people and communities.’

Louise Fedotov-Clements, Artistic Director, QUAD/Director, FORMAT says: ‘We are thrilled to be working with Khatun for the residency, to deepen relationships with leicester and the communities of the HAZ areas. Through the residency we look forward to supporting our artist on their journey to explore photography andsocially engaged practice, something that we care passionately about.

This project is part of a wider national programme led by Photoworks and Historic England, and regional partners including Open Eye Gallery; FORMAT/QUAD; Photofusion; Impressions Gallery; GRAIN; The Photographers Gallery, ReFramed; PARC (Photography and the Archive Research Centre) and Redeye The Photography Network.