Symposium
Photographic Objecthood: Construction, Presence, and the Sculptural Encounter
Henry Moore Institute, Leeds
This symposium aims to provoke new approaches to the spatial, sensorial and sculptural potential of photography, exploring questions regarding the histories and futures of photographic objecthood.
Photographic Objecthood: Construction, Presence, and the Sculptural Encounter will bring together critics, academics and artists interested in the sculptural capacities of photography.
The programme opts not to examine the idea of ‘expanded’ photography where a hybridised ‘sculptural’ photograph is augmented through mixed media or in some way rendered three-dimensional. Speakers and contributors are instead invited to focus on artworks where conceptual, philosophical, or political meaning flows from a spatial or phenomenological encounter with a photograph of a specific scale and materiality.
This symposium is organised in collaboration with artist Fiona Crisp (Professor of Contemporary Art, Northumbria University).
Main image: Fiona Crisp. From Weighting Time Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens 2023.
Black & white analogue photographs from pinhole negative.
Photo: Colin Davison. Image courtesy of the artist and Matt’s Gallery, London.
Call for participation
We’re currently accepting proposals from a broad spectrum of critical and creative practice that address the themes of the symposium. Find out more below.
Photographic Objecthood: Construction, Presence, and the Sculptural Encounter
Call for participation
Workshop, to take place:
Henry Moore Institute, Leeds
Wednesday 21 January 2026
Deadline to apply:
Monday 13 October 2025, 17:00
Accessibility
We want to make it as easy as possible for all to attend, so please get in touch if you have any access needs that you would like to discuss before the symposium.
Step-free entrance
We have an accessible entrance via lift (doors 100cm wide) on Cookridge Street, bringing you onto the ground floor of the building.
Internal lift
There is an internal passenger lift (doors 72cm wide) to all floors of the building.
Induction loops
There are induction loops at the welcome desk on the ground floor, library reception and in the seminar room.
There is a portable induction loop available for visitors to use in the galleries (please ask at the welcome desk).
Toilets
Outside the seminar room on the basement level we have three gender-neutral superloos (self-contained cubicles with a toilet and sink).
Additionally, we have one gender-neutral, accessible superloo, and one superloo with baby changing facilities.
Changing Places toilet
The closest Changing Places toilet is located in Leeds City Museum (approximately 350m away from us over a mostly flat route).
Guide dogs
Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other badged assistance dogs are welcome in our galleries and at this event.
The nearest green space is Park Square.
Getting here
Henry Moore Institute
74 The Headrow
Leeds
LS1 3AH
United Kingdom
T: 01132 467 467
E: institute@henry-moore.org
