emma campbell: an appropriate hobby

artist info & virtual world themes

emma campbell (she/her) is a Research Associate in Social Studies at Ulster University on the cross-border HEA-funded North/South Reproductive Citizenship project (2022-Present). Her PhD was on utilising art, primarily photography and performance, as a tool for abortion rights along with Alliance for Choice of whom she is a co-convenor. She is a member of the 2021 Turner Prize Winning, Array Collective, and within and outside Array, her socially engaged practice is embedded in queer & feminist movements. Her work is photography-based, participatory, performance-enhanced and active in affecting change. Emma also teaches across the Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels in both Social Policy and Art & Design, specialising in Photography.

Emma is on the Board of Directors for Outburst Queer Arts and London-based Abortion Support Network. Emma has exhibited in solo shows in Belfast, Dublin & Berlin and in group shows in London, Liverpool, Donegal, Dublin, Belfast, Stockholm, and Bangkok as well as street art and online. With Array Collective Emma has exhibited across the UK and Ireland, currently in the Irish Museum of Modern Art and had the Druthaib’s Ball work purchased by the Ulster Museum. She has been supported by grants from Arts Council Northern Ireland, Arts Council Ireland, University of Atypical, Belfast City Council, the UKRI Rapid Impact Seed Funding and Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. Emma gained her Documentary Photography BA (Hons) at U.W.C.N Newport in 2001, an MFA in Photography at Ulster University in 2012 and worked as a professional photographer and picture editor in London for over a decade for orgs such as the BBC, The Times London and Network Photographers.

The virtual world invites encounters with Campbell’s explorations of grassroots reproductive activism, sovereignty/anti-imperialist struggle on Island of Ireland and beyond, and digital art activism.

go to emma campbell’s website instagram:@frecklescorp contact:campbell.emma@gmail.com

go to array collective’s website instagram: @arraystudios

go to alliance for choice's website instagram: @all4choice

how to explore the virtual worlds:

Currently, the virtual worlds are most compatible with Chrome and Firefox browsers (the interactive elements may not work with Safari). The worlds are also only compatible with desktop/laptop devices currently.

Navigate the environments using the W, A, S, D keys (to move forward, left, back, and right, respectively). Use the mouse to turn and look around/up and down (like the navigation of a PC game).


Press the escape key to move your mouse outside
of the environment window.

Each virtual world contains audio elements.

To activate the artist audio stories and caption videos, “walk” up to the pink exhibition icons, and the audio/visual content will begin.

You can pause the interactive content by moving away from the area, then return and resume.

participatory prompts

  • How does conflict /political violence impact reproductive autonomy?

  • What role does visual art play in abortion struggles?
    What role does digital culture play in reproductive justice?

  • How does colonialism shape access to abortion/ bodily sovereignty?

  • Create your own activist portrait by collaging together imagery that resonates with movements you support (they could be your own photographs, or images sourced online). Then, share what you created on the exhibition Discord or with friends (or use it as an avatar!).

recommended readings & resources

  • inroads (international network for the reduction of abortion discrimination and stigma)