Recent adaptations and interpretations of the Brontės’ lives and works through film, art, literature and theatre raise questions about the continuing fascination with these literary figures, as well as highlighting the wider potential for artistic intervention or collaboration between artworks and audiences. Similarly, it is through innovative contemporary arts programmes that organisations like the Brontė Parsonage Museum and the Brontė Society seek to move beyond simple ‘caricatures’ of the family and encourage diverse audience engagement.

This one day cross-disciplinary conference will explore the recent ‘re-visioning’ of the Brontės through critically examining artistic responses and interpretations of their work. The conference will address ways in which the legacy of the Brontės is exerting an influence in a range of creative fields, and across a variety of media.

A collaboration between the Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery and the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies, the conference is taking place to coincide with two exhibitions. The first, ‘Wildness Between the Lines’, at Leeds College of Art, brings together the work of a wide range of artists who have been influenced by the Brontės. ‘Visions of Angria’, at the Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery, showcases Brontė material from the University of Leeds Special Collections, accompanied by illustrations from students at Leeds College of Art. This theme lends itself to a broad field of research and practice. Submissions are welcomed from academics, artists, research students and professionals, and the format is not restricted to formal papers. Topics for discussion might include, but are not limited to:

The Brontės’ influence in contemporary culture Creative adaptations or reinterpretations of the Brontės’ lives and works Curatorial interpretations of the Brontės The myth and legacy of the Brontės Responses to exhibitions of Brontė material Representations of the Brontės in literary biographies

Confirmed speakers include Professor Blake Morrison (Goldsmiths, University of London) and Jane Sellars (Curator of Art, Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate). Please email submissions, including a title, 400 word abstract and CV, to: bronte.revision@gmail.com by no later than Friday, 28 September 2012. Successful applicants will be notified by the 30 November 2012. Further questions are welcomed at this address.