Durham students turn the lens on generative AI in new exhibition ‘portrAIt’ at The Dead Dog Gallery
As artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly familiar part of education, work and creative life, young people are among those being asked to think most carefully about what the technology means for their future. A new exhibition in County Durham gives students the opportunity to explore those questions on their own terms, using creativity to examine AI, identity and how we represent ourselves.
Opening with a preview on Friday, 18 September, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, portrAIt brings together self-portraits created by students from Durham Sixth Form Centre. Hosted at The Dead Dog Gallery – a contemporary, community-led art space nestled in the heart of Durham – the exhibition grapples directly with what it means to make art in an era where digital tools can instantly fabricate reality.
portrAIt, an exploration of photography, promptography and the algorithmic mirror of AI, spans traditional photographic processes, cyanotype prints, graphic design and generative AI. Rather than passively accepting the technology or dismissing it entirely, the students used the project to actively test its limits.
Working under the guidance of award-winning portrait photographer Madeleine Waller, the students began with classical photographic techniques before moving, sometimes reluctantly, into promptography, digital manipulation and AI add-ons. What emerged was a striking reflection of the algorithmic bias embedded within image generators, alongside a clear view of how these tools alter, stretch and distort human identity.
The visual work is paired with candid audio recordings of the students reflecting on the process in real time. These intimate voice notes capture the genuine tension, curiosity, and uncertainty felt by a generation standing at the front lines of technological shift. Their reactions, ranging from anger and frustration to fascination, give visitors a rare, honest look at young people deciding for themselves whether to adopt, adapt, or reject these tools.
portrAIt goes beyond technical experimentation; it is a human-centred inquiry into identity, self-representation and the role of the artist at a time when technology is reshaping visual culture.
Schools North East Director Chris Zarraga said: “It is really important that young people have opportunities to explore new technologies for themselves, to ask questions and to form their own views about what they mean for their lives and futures. This exhibition is also a fantastic example of the creativity we have in North East schools and colleges, and of what can happen when young people are given the space and support to experiment.”
The exhibition was conceived and delivered by creative arts organisation The Forge in partnership with Durham Sixth Form Centre. It is supported by Into the Light, County Durham’s place-based initiative dedicated to nurturing local talent, widening access to creative education and removing barriers to working in the creative sector.
Exhibition Details:
- Exhibition: portrAIt: An exploration of photography, promptography and the algorithmic mirror of AI
- Preview Night: Friday, 18 September 2026 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Dates: 18 September – 16 October 2026
- Venue: The Dead Dog Gallery, Durham Sixth Form Centre, The Sands, Providence Row, Durham, DH1 1SG
- Admission: Free
- www.deaddoggallery.co.uk/portrait/
- @deaddoggallery
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