about.
Tiger Monkey UK Limited is a dynamic arts organisation founded in 2005 by Director Emma Ghafur. Emma brings 30 years experience and expertise in participatory arts. Emma graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a BA Hons in Creative Arts. She has trained with Augusto Boal, Cardboard Citizens, Frantic Assembly, Punchdrunk, Tate Gallery and Forkbeard Fantasy. Emma gained a Foundation Certificate in Art and Wellbeing Therapies from Hertfordshire University in 2022.
At the heart of what we do is creativity, fun and positive engagement. We are a mixed media
company offering bespoke workshops and programmes using a wide range of arts and media. From fine art to animation, film-making to sculpture and drama games to giant murals.. Tiger Monkey has specialized in work outside of mainstream education.
We focus on arts, education and facilitation working towards modest but significant change. Tiger Monkey's projects are regularly funded by Arts Council England. We are an Arts Award Centre offering all 5 levels of the accredited Arts Awards.
'100 Angels' Be Well London ACE funded programme 2009-2011.
Associate Artists
Frena Russom
Frena has worked with Tiger Monkey since she was 14 years old and studied Film at UAL. Project Manager, workshop leader, film-maker and editor. Frena has led and worked on most of our programmes. Frena has worked for NBC News and as Recruitment and Careers Co-ordinator at Global Academy. Frena's portfolio includes: Exodus Youth Worx Film, SEN work Experience for Artsdepot, Summer Arts Colleges and Arts Award Lead BFI Film Academy/Eastside Arts Trust. Frena is taking a sabbatical - film-making and travelling around the world. Go Frena!
Licia Abreu Dos Santos
Licia has recently graduated with an MA from The Slade School of Art. She joined Tiger Monkey in 2019 working on Thurrock/Unitas ACE funded Summer Arts Colleges. More recent work includes the ACE funded 'Lets Create- Enfield Jubilee Arts 2022 and commissioned ForeStreet and Meridian Water Mural programmes. Tiger Monkey supports new and emerging artists like Licia and offers both intern opportunities and professional work.
Delina Kidane
Delina joined Tiger Monkey as an Intern in 2019 and as part of Tiger Monkey Studios. Delina recently gained her Gold Arts Award and is currently studying her first degree at Bath University in Philosophy and Psychology - Delina wants to become an Art Therapist in the future. Delina has worked on various mural and art projects at Tiger Monkey since her Internship.
Shayne Thomas Gordon
Workshop Leader, film-maker, artist and cameraman. Shayne has been working with Tiger Monkey since his Gold Award in 2012. Previous projects include ARTiculate and Thurrock Summer Arts College. After graduating in Film Studies at East Anglia University Shayne did an Internship with Sky TV as a Runner and now works as a Quality Assurance Operative. Shayne has also worked with Tiger Monkey regularly on Enfield Youth Service Summer Uni and Enfield Council Xmas films.
Nas Carty
Nas studied Fashion Photography and has set up her own specialist agency INC MGMT. Nas has worked for Fashion label Browns and previous clients include Michael Kors and Selfridges. Recent work for Tiger Monkey includes Jubilee/Photography at Forty Hall with Birds of Prey and Orchardside School, BFI Film Academy with Eastside Arts Trust and TM ROAR.
Julia Wilson
Workshop Leader and Project Manager Julia Wilson worked with Tiger Monkey during Lockdown on the Harrow Tour Programme: To create a series of scripts on youth justice themes together with young people. Julia founded her own company Small Acts and has over 30 years experience of drama and theatre practice. Julia currently works within primary school settings and has trained with Geo Britto, Forced Entertainment, English Touring Theatre, TIPP, Michael Chase, Odd Arts and Clown Lab. Julia is an associate artist for Odd Arts and is based in Manchester.
TESTIMONIALS
"Thank you for the brilliant work you have done with Oaktree students as part of various Tiger Monkey projects. Tiger Monkey is a brilliant organisation creating opportunities, opening doors and broadening horizons. We are lucky to benefit from your excellent work." OakTree School
"Tiger Monkey have opened many doors to opportunities I may not have considered before. I now see the film industry as more accessible to me " Participant aged 18
"Each of them (projects) have been so unique and fantastic. I can't wait to do another one. I have built up my confidence and become more assertive. Tiger Monkey gave me outstanding help and support to develop my creative arts skills like acting and animation." Participants aged 15 and 20 years.