About

Deadman was founded with a deep desire to challenge the status quo. Not wanting to see the same old same old, an overwhelming need to see new, exciting, representative work for its own sake. Work that supports and represents underrepresented artists and communities.

A core principle of this work is our home on the Isle of Wight. We are inspired by our coastal cultural historical heritage - one whose history and stories anchor us and connect us to our community and the world around us.

Like many rural and coastal places, we must fight to have our voice heard. To challenge the accepted view and we must fight to have new work and new stories that can empower and drive connection in our community and communities like ours.

“As someone from a disadvantaged background, who is constantly struggling to maintain a place in this industry, I know the creative arts is not made for me. It's for those who can afford it, inherently rigged in favour of privilege and nepotism, both in what is created and who creates it. More than ever, it is important to challenge that because if you can't afford to stay in the industry then you won't. It is not just morally important but also for artistic quality, new work that is driven by a desire for change or representation will always trump familiarity.

I set up the company to help others like myself that need that support and outlet for their voice. To create a pathway that I couldn't find for exciting new underrepresented talent and new work is vital for the creative arts, it's the oxygen for our industry but it also creates better work; work that is representative of our communities, that is all the stronger for that. Connecting people to places, artists to their art.” - Samuel Bossman, Artistic Director.