Johannah Latchem

Biography

Dr Johannah Latchem is a Post-Doctoral Fellow and artist based in Socio-legal Studies.  Her works address themes of law, punishment and power.  They intervene in the material culture of the courthouse to establish new rituals that inform public understanding of the law.  The creation of new artworks and their role in courtroom performativities challenges the validity of existing courthouse rituals, and exposes the need for new ones to convey revised messages to the public.  Johannah's post-doctoral research at the Cente entitled Sex Workers in the University Archives focuses on practice-based outputs and desk-based research in the Bodleian Library and Archives, in particular the Chancellor's Court collections and cases of sex workers that relate to the University's own courtroom.

Johannah's practice-based PhD at Newcastle University focused on the subject of courtrooms, maritime law and power.  Data gathered on courtroom acoustics revealed how the architecture and acoustics of the court silenced, or facilitated, those involved in judiciary processes. She previously studied at Goldsmiths College, University of London and Wimbledon School of Art. Prior to her post-doctoral post she was Research Fellow on the Arts and Humanities Research Council Commons and held posts in research and teaching positions in UK universities, including projects across business, academic and cultural sectors and research with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She has been a lecturer, published internationally and directed opera with Birmingham Opera Company and the BBC.  Her work raises issues that resonate with wider public concerns today on punishment and silencing the female voice.  Johannah also makes installations in museums and public sites related to the law using mixed media, sculpture and sound. www.johannahlatchem.com