Launching on Thursday 12 March, the Collaborate exhibition will showcase work created by second-year photography students at Leeds Trinity in collaboration with commercial and socially-engaged community projects in Leeds and West Yorkshire.

The projects range from collaborations with clothing brands and florists to community-driven initiatives including Soup Dragon Kitchen in Hebden Bridge. The work on display will explore the dynamics of image making and the importance of working together.

19-year-old Aqsa Kauser, from Bradford, is displaying her social engagement project as part of the Collaborate exhibition. Aqsa explored perception of the Muslim community and local youth culture, to address issues of Islamophobia. Aqsa has taken portraits of young Muslims and has also compiled a series of day-in-the-life accounts into a book which details Islamophobic slurs and uncomfortable language experienced by Muslims.

Aqsa said: “Through personal experiences with racism and observing the recurring discrimination towards Muslims, I wanted to focus on a topic that I could connect and put all my effort into. It holds great importance to me as I hope to show the public that there is no need to prematurely judge an entire religion based on the actions of a small group of people.

“I enjoyed the freedom in this module as it allowed me to choose a current topic and collaborate with others to attempt to enforce change.”

Verity Adriana, Lecturer in Photography at Leeds Trinity University, said, “I am incredibly proud of the work our Photography students have produced for this exhibition, which is a culmination of their Collaborative Project module. The exhibition will feature work from the students who have each worked with diverse businesses, influencers and community projects, which has enhanced their wider skillset through good communication and organisation.

“The exhibition will explore the relationship between photographer, subject and audience as well as demonstrating the power of collaboration. Everyone is welcome to attend, and we look forward to seeing you there.”

The preview event will take place on Thursday 12 March between 6.00 and 9.00pm at The Brunswick in Leeds City Centre. The exhibition will be open until Sunday 15 March.

For more information about this event, please contact Verity Adriana. To find out more about studying Photography at Leeds Trinity, visit our Photography course page.