Our People
The Team
Sandra Hall | Co-Director and Lead Artist
Born in Kenya, Sandra’s early career was grounded in performing in theatre, TV and film before coming to Birmingham in 1990 for a two-year stint with Geese Theatre, performing in 120 prisons across the UK and Ireland. Sandra has trained with the likes of Philippe Gaulier, Augusto Boal, Prapto Suryodarmo, Guillermo Gomez-Pena and Jonathan Kay and is an accomplished actor, director and deviser of performance in all its many forms. Alongside Lee she initiates, devises and develops Friction’s projects, as well as fundraising, managing projects and people and ensuring everything’s on track. Sandra grew up ligging her way around the original punk and new wave scene in late 70s/early 80s London and has a treasure trove of stories from that time
Lee Griffiths | Co-director and Lead Artist
‘Proper Brummie’ Lee’s early career was nothing if not eclectic. Including running his own tropical fish shop business at age 17, spending several years as a commercial scuba diver, becoming a qualified nursery nurse, a farm labourer and finally an audio-visual engineer – his wide experience has stood him in good stead to work in the responsive environment that Friction’s work creates. Lee, like Sandra, is responsible for the decision-making and development side of Friction’s output and in addition is an all-round maker, handyman and techie, and Friction’s one man IT Crowd.
Simon Walker
Simon has worked with Friction as an artist, performer, graphic artist, video artist for nearly 20 years. He has worked with us regularly on our international arts projects and is one of our closest collaborators. As a creative catalyst, Simon has worked across, through, with, along and inside most of our projects – he’s part of and contributes to our DNA.
Marcus Belben | Projects Manager
Marcus Belben came to Birmimgham in 1996. He specialises in archives & heritage, creative learning, stories, wild art and green willow sculpture. He founded and has been the School Archivist at Paganel Archives, the first and only ARCHON registered repository archive in a State Primary School,since it started in 2012. He is co-founder of People’s Heritage Co-operative, and initiated Playing Out in Birmingham 2013 – opening Streets for Play, with longtime collaborator, John Hill-Daniel as Spacemakers.He also ikes to do things with Woodcraft FolkShades of Black and other people in community gardens and green spaces in Birmingham.
marcus@frictionarts.com 07511 482528
Manon Evans | Company Administrator
Having moved from Wales to Birmingham to study History at University, Manon has spent her time supporting a variety of arts and heritage organisations with her administration and organisational skills.
While in Birmingham, she has worked at Moseley Road Baths as the administration and reception Co-ordinator and the Lapworth Museum, as a front of house receptionist. She’s also supported a number of community archive projects and libraries in South Wales.
Other people
Friction Arts also works regularly with over 20 freelance artists, technicians and other experts. Together, we produce high-quality, risk-taking work, whatever the context. There’s far too many to list here, but thanks to all of you.
The Board
As well as Lee and Sandra, we have a diverse board including:
Gemma Dhami – Gemma is Museums Learning Manager for Worcester Museums and is a great source of information on arts and heritage practice.
Mark Webster – Formerly leading the community arts course at Staffs Uni, Mark is a veteran community artist, currently based in Walsall who organises many projects and events for Caldmore Community Gardens.
Michael Mihoc – Michael is an actor, writer and director who also co-founded Coventry’s ‘Fridays’ Club – an initiative by young people to help other young people at risk of being involved in knife crime through making art and performance projects together. Michael is the youngest member of the board at 21.