arthur+martha is an arts organisation that helps communities reflect on their experiences and reconcile with their past history, helping people to understand themselves and move forward.

Using innovative, contemporary, risk taking and challenging art and writing techniques, we explore and reveal the idiosyncrasies of being British.

arthur+martha work with a diverse client group; isolated older people, long term unemployed, excluded children, ethnic minority groups, people with mental and physical health disabilities… Working through the medium of art creates the potential for change, change in the way the person feels about themselves, their lives and the environment or circumstance.

arthur+martha is led by artist & illustrator Lois Blackburn, and writer Philip Davenport. They have a combined 18 years experience of working in the arts and health field, and in addition have their own successful arts and writing practices. Blackburn’s clients for illustrations include The Times, The Spectator, MOJO magazine, and The Big Issue. Her work has been commissioned for privately and for public art works, such as a series of ceramics in Manchester. Her work is housed in public collections including Bankfield Museum Halifax and Leighton House Museum, Kensington.  Davenport first novel 'all about evil' was published 2000, Artist/curator of exhibitions including Ian Hamilton Finlay, Edinburgh 2006 and Bob Cobbing retrospective 2005. He has exhibited nationally, including for the Liverpool Biennial 2004 and 2008.