Artist Support | Tobi Bello - Ethical Framework Development

Coming in November, Draíocht is delighted to support artist Tobi Bello in her development of a new piece of work.

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Time for Reflection and Ethical Framework Development

Alongside my artistic projects, I am increasingly aware of the need to dedicate time and research toward building an ethical framework for my socially engaged practice. Much of my work is rooted in self-archiving and community storytelling, often within spaces that hold deep vulnerability. While I have been grateful for the opportunities to create such work, I have not yet had the chance to step back and develop a structured framework that can guide these practices responsibly.

Recently, I completed a 10-week photography project with the Irish Refugee Council, centred on themes of self-archiving and storytelling. This experience was profound, but it also required careful navigation of sensitive dynamics: participants were sharing vulnerable aspects of themselves, trusting that their stories would be handled with care. Ensuring a safe environment - where trust, security, and respect were upheld - was crucial. It also required me to reflect on the dual responsibility of presenting the community’s narratives truthfully while recognising that these narratives are simultaneously part of my artistic practice.

As cultural and demographic change continues to reshape Ireland, questions of ethics in storytelling are becoming more urgent. I believe it is essential that artists from culturally diverse communities are equipped to lead these conversations, shaping how their stories are represented in ways that protect both individuals and communities.

I will use this time, supported by Draíocht, not only to reflect but also to carry out research that allows me to develop a sustainable ethical framework for my practice. This will help ensure that my work safeguards the communities I engage with, respects their agency, and also provides me with clear boundaries and protections as an artist. Such a framework would strengthen both my creative output and the integrity of my engagement, making sure that the work I produce contributes positively to ongoing conversations about representation, ethics, and storytelling in Ireland.

Tobi Bello

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Draíocht is recognised as a creative hub and laboratory space and invests significantly in the development of artist's practice by the provision of benefit in kind support such as space, technical support, admin/marketing support and specialist expertise. We offer a wide range of opportunities to artists i.e. commissions, residencies, artist studios/rehearsal space, co-productions, co-commissions, seed funding, mentoring.

Our Artist Support Series, launched during Covid-19, has helped 79 artists in 2020, 50 artists in 2021, 74 artists in 2022, 53 artists in 2023, and 31 artists in 2024 with the provision of free rehearsal and creative space. Space to rehearse, write, create, film, dance, think & plan... whatever is needed!

With thanks to our funders Fingal County Council & The Arts Council.

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