Estuary Festival: 51ZERO/MAPP: MEDWAY SUPERSTARS
27 Jun - 29 Jun 2025
A Portrait of Medway’s Creative Energy
As part of Estuary 2025, Medway Superstars premieres 10 striking filmed portraits highlighting the creative talents of artists based in Medway, Kent – from emerging voices to globally established names. Directed by 51zero Artistic Director, Margherita Gramegna and funded by Arts Council England, the Medway Superstars films capture the region’s artistic energy.
Medway Superstars is about mapping an evolving creative landscape. These portraits are artistic interpretations rather than conventional documentaries – distilled moments and poetic exchanges that move between formality and play.
Each artist’s portrait acts as a reference point, visually charting Medway’s creative scene and positioning it within a wider artistic context. While each artist’s work is inspired by Medway, their stories reflect universal themes—identity, community, and creativity—resonating with global audiences.
The choice to use portraiture ties into the idea of capturing human stories that transcend time, place, culture, and language. The artists reflect not just on their connection to Medway but also on its future— envisioning the cultural growth of their community and their role in it.
The launch of this project marks Stage 1 of a broader ambition to create MAPP (©Medway Artists Portrait Platform), a dynamic, digital atlas of Medway’s artistic topography.
MAPP aims to raise Medway’s profile as a significant creative hub and serve as a resource that empowers current and future artists to flourish within its cultural, social, and economic narrative.
