Never Succeed at Silence is a six-month project led by SPILL Associate Artist Isiah Jordan, empowering young people through film photography.

Focused on creative empowerment and collective authorship, the project brought together a small group of young people to explore photography as a means of self-expression, storytelling, and community engagement.

Over the course of monthly workshops held at SPILL, participants gained hands-on experience with film photography—developing technical skills, experimenting with medium and large format cameras, and creating their own photographic narratives.

The direction and themes of the project were guided by the participants themselves, allowing their individual and collective voices to shape the work. Each participant was provided with a film camera and rolls of film to use independently between sessions, creating images for the project independently.

This exhibition proudly showcases their work and shows the town in a different light.

You can also look out for the Never Succeed at Silence zine, available from selected festival locations for free or our shop (available October 2025) for a small postage charge.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Isiah Jordan is a UK-based photographer and youth worker, whose practice explores the intersection of identity, culture and community. Grounded in a social documentary approach, Isiah’s work explores social behaviour and is shaped by the voices of the people he collaborates with. Their perspectives inform and challenge his creative direction, creating a collaborative dynamic that shapes his photographic narrative. He is interested in the relationship between the subject and the photographer.

Never Succeed at Silence has been generously supported by the Norfolk & Norwich Festival Bursary Scheme, Eastern Angles, and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Additional thanks to Ipswich Central and Ipswich Borough Council.