People

As founder and director of BACKLIT Matthew is responsible for BACKLIT’s visual arts exhibition programming and the creative ethos which underpins the gallery. He founded Backlit immediately after graduating from Nottingham Trent University’s BA Fine Art course in 2008. His work as an artist is based around performance, video and sculpture with experimental configurations of people and technologies. He has worked internationally on projects and residencies in Japan, Germany and UK.

As Co-Director at BACKLIT Suzanne’s responsibilities include fund-raising, board support, business planning, managing the volunteer and internship programme and supporting the director’s role. Suzanne is also an artist, working mainly in fine art and illustration, and has 15 years experience in arts administration in London where she worked for the Arts Council and co-ordinated the Save the Arts campaign. She works part-time with the Foyle Foundation.

Jazz Swali is the Curator and Programme coordinator at BACKLIT, formely Assistant Curator, and is responsible for programme development, research, curating exhibitions and working on special projects. His curatorial practice and research in contemporary art often centre on identity, activism and the sociopolitical. He is also Advisory Board Trustee for Eastside Projects Gallery, Birmingham.

Rosa Davies is the Marketing Coordinator at BACKLIT and the primary contact for PR inquiries. 

For the past seven years, Rosa has been focused on connecting communities, particularly for disabled people. Her personal connection to the causes that BACKLIT champions is what drives Rosa’s work. 

If you have any comments or questions about BACKLIT and what we do, get in touch and start the conversation.

Marta works closely with studio holders and associates of BACKLIT, coordinating the development programme.

Marta has experience in planning and delivering programmes of diverse events and exhibitions. She has previously worked as Art Programme Coordinator at Centrala gallery in Birmingham and is a member of British Art Network Emerging Curators Group. In her curatorial practice, Marta deals with the issues of representation and identity of Central and Eastern European artists based in the UK. 

Harry is an artist and technician based in Nottingham. In his practice he explores architectural facades and design tropes through the mediums of sculpture and moving image. Since graduating from Nottingham Trent University in 2019, he has worked on international sculptural fabrications, being an artist’s assistant as well as a technician, and co-founding Gasleak Mountain a Nottingham based gallery. He is also a Steering Group member for CVAN East Midlands.

Peter has been involved in Art & Design Education for all of his career, working at Newark and Lincoln Colleges and Loughborough University. Parallel to this, he has a ceramics studio which he is currently reviving to develop a range of functional pottery and exhibition pieces, in collaboration with his wife Karen.

Veronica is an Executive Coach and Consultant who champions the needs of diverse communities and advises organisations on diversity and inclusion strategies and partnership development.

Veronica was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire in May 2013 and was appointed and approved by Her Majesty the Queen as an RAF Honorary Air Commodore for 504 (Nottingham County Squadron) in September 2018. Veronica is an RSPB Council Member and RSPB England Committee Member, she is also a National Ambassador for the Woodland Trust and an Ambassador/​Trustee for many orgasniations and charities.

In April 2023, Veronica is to be appointed High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, becoming the first black female to hold this position.

Ambassador since 2019.

Millie Quick is a Nottingham-based artist working with text, performance and installation. Her works address memory, place, and the radical potential of gender euphoria. She has worked at several Nottingham art centres and is passionate about keeping them not just safe and inclusive, but a welcoming place to build communities. BACKLIT was the first venue that commissioned her work, and she is proud to have been part of the conversation that led to the gallery providing unisex toilet facilities.

Ambassador since 2019.

Michael has worked in the arts sector for the past ten years, beginning his career as a performer working predominantly in theatre. After gaining extensive experience in the education and youth sectors Michael’s work has focussed on working with creative organisations to engage young people and communities with arts and culture. Michael has worked with BACKLIT most recently on the Nottingham Asylum Project. Michael has recently joined the board of trustees for Meander Theatre Company, which works with artists with learning disabilities to create theatre and opportunities for young people and adults.

Ambassador since 2019.