Black Country Digital Firsts: Tom Hicks
Image courtesy of Tom Hicks / Black Country Type
Selected artists from the Black Country are harnessing digital skills and mentoring through Black Country Digital Firsts; a partnership between Creative Black Country and The Space. We’ve been working with our first group of creatives during 2024 and will be rolling out a second cohort in 2025 (more details coming soon). For this series of blog posts we are introducing the folks who have joined us on the first round of mentoring sessions and workshops as they begin to develop their digital commissions.
Tom Hicks of Black Country Type is developing a short film blending poetry, music, and video to reflect the Black Country's unique atmosphere, inspired by the region's typography and architecture. Mentoring sessions have encouraged bold experimentation, fostering confidence and innovation. The program highlights how accessible digital tools can amplify local voices, transforming creative practices and celebrating the cultural richness of the Black Country.
We asked Tom to share his experience so far.
What inspired you to apply for Black Country Digital Firsts and how did you hope it would impact your creative practice?
I’d been contemplating the idea of working on a short film for some time. I think that because digital video is a new medium for me, I was very unsure of whether it would work.
When I saw the callout from Black Country Digital Firsts, I sensed it would be a supportive project. Sometimes all it takes for an idea to develop is the opportunity to speak to people with experience.
Image courtesy of Tom Hicks / Black Country Type
Can you share a little about the project you are working on and why you feel it’s particularly bold or imaginative?
The project will be a short film that explores the landscape and atmosphere of the Black Country region. There will be no actors or script, I see it more as a reflective experience and as an extension of my artistic practice.
My art project Black Country Type focuses on typography, architecture and objects in this region. I mainly use photography but I have also been experimenting with video.
For me, this project is an exciting opportunity, one that will potentially see me bring together poetry, ambient sound, music and moving image. I’m hoping to synthesise these elements to create a unique experience for the viewer/listener.
How do you believe fostering digital creativity can contribute to the cultural landscape of the Black Country?
Developments in digital technology mean that most of us have ready access to powerful creative tools - but sometimes it takes a leap to see things in this way. My art practice has its roots in the use of a standard smartphone camera. It began in a very lo-fi way.
My current practice has seen me working in community and educational settings where I encourage people to try their hand at urban photography. When people see that I use a smartphone to create my images, it often removes the sense of elitism that accompanies art.
Given encouragement, there is huge potential for people in the Black Country to create fascinating new work. Digital methods of production and dissemination mean that it can quickly reach a new audience. From experience, I think there is a huge appetite for work that celebrates the local area.
What has been the most valuable lesson or insight you've gained from the mentoring and advice sessions provided through Black Country Digital Firsts?
The initial open sessions were really helpful. It was wonderful to meet new people and to find out more about their projects.
The mentoring sessions have been revelatory. I think as an artist I’m quite focused and have developed a strong aesthetic. I’m open to new ideas but I think I had initially seen the film as a direct replication of my photographic work.
My mentor encouraged me to stretch my working methods while remaining true to my overall aesthetic. So for example, in between meetings, she set me mini-briefs – these were aimed at stretching my approaches to constructing video sequences.
There was no pressure to complete these briefs – but for me, they were playful and thoughtful. The more you engage with a mentor and their ideas, the more you can learn.
In what ways do you think Black Country Digital Firsts can amplify diverse voices and perspectives within the Black Country?
Black Country Digital Firsts is a fantastic opportunity for people to bring their ideas and experiences to a wider audience.
The project encourages people to experiment, to be playful and to be brave. Some of the projects are intentionally small in ambition. Others will act as a testing ground for future projects.
Working with others fosters confidence in people who are moving into the unknown in terms of their creativity. I found it a welcoming and safe environment to explore my ideas – sometimes just speaking to others about a project is enough to push you further to complete it.
How do you now envision the role of technology in enhancing your creative practice going forward?
My art practice has developed in several directions and includes photography, sculpture and graphic design.
I am mostly self-taught and work quite intuitively. I’m also highly aware of my limitations and know that I work on a functional level in many ways. I only tend to learn new skills when I have to!
Access to new technology has the potential to let me hone my craft but also to develop entirely new skills. Black Country Digital Firsts will provide me with funding and expertise in aspects such as video editing and the use of industry-standard software. Moving forward, this has the potential to allow me to incorporate film into my wider art practice.
What advice would you give to other creatives in the region who are considering applying for the second round of Black Country Digital Firsts?
My advice is to go for it! The application process is clear and straightforward and there is lots of support along the way.
Think about what you’d like to achieve and consider the kind of help you think you may need. When you are assigned a mentor, they are carefully chosen to suit your practice and aesthetics.
There is also plenty of help in terms of shaping ideas into a well-planned project brief.
Black Country Digital Firsts is a unique partnership between Creative Black Country and The Space that aims to build digital creative confidence, inspire excellence in the area, foster digital creativity, commission artists, and offer creative support via mentoring and advice sessions.