The Warli or Varli are an indigenous tribe of western India. I became aware of their paintings at an exhibition by Usha Dapur Kar, exploring her heritage, animism and storytelling. Usha told me that she has obtained funding to travel to India to learn more about Warli painting that is thought to originate from 3000BC. Warli artists – mostly … More Warli Painting Workshops
We approach walking not as the mark or province of the human, but as a fundamental mobility practice shared across all forms of life. Walking, in this respect, bears the mark of the ‘creature’ rather than being emblematic of human exceptionality. No creature walks alone, and yet no walk is ever the same. Each walk … More The Mark of the Creature: Walking as Inquiry
Two workshops for Criw Celf over the Easter holidays: Fantastic Maps in St Vincent Community Centre, Ely, and Windows in Oasis Refugee Centre, Splott. A2: Criw Celf is funded by the Arts Council of Wales and is managed by the Arts Active Trust, working in partnership with arts organisations, galleries and colleges in Merthyr Tydfil, … More Criw Celf Workshops
Like scavengers extracting sustenance out of the discarded remains of capitalism, we sift through the flotsam and jetsam washed up by the winter storms. Much of it has been in the water for a long time. It has been reconfigured, eaten away, oxidised, twisted, battered and crushed on its elemental journey. It is edifying, this … More Business as Usual? Post Apocalyptic Sculptures
Collaborative poems featuring the voices of members of the Growing Strong Group in Bridgend.
Some of the people who have attended my Art for Wellbeing classes over the years have a unique and idiosyncratic style. Over terms of weekly attendance, they determinedly pursue their vision to the exclusion of all suggestions and themes offered by me, or influences of others attending. In doing so, an important collection of work … More Bodies of Work
The Arts for Wellbeing organization I work for, Breathe Creative, was successful in securing funding from Arts Council Wales and the National Lottery fund to run a series of groups, one of which is the Growing Strong group with Mental Health Matters that I run in Bridgend every Friday. In my other role as Refugee … More Creative Wellbeing for Ukraine
Diwali celebrations at Wales Millennium Centre this evening, a vibrant celebration of the Festival of Lights and Indian culture in Wales. My card making workshop with leaves, stencils and stamps using water-based ink was enjoyed by the children after their performances, and by visitors passing through.
“At least one third of GP appointments are, in part, due to isolation. Through social prescribing and community resilience programmes, creative arts can have a significant impact on reducing isolation and enabling wellbeing in communities.” – Dr Jane Povey GP, Director, Creative Inspiration Shropshire Community Interest Company; All-Party Parliamentary on Arts, Health and Wellbeing Inquiry … More The Art of Growing Strong
Some wonderful mandalas made in the workshop at Cardiff central library today for Refugee Week. I gave participants a choice of A4 or A3 circle templates to create their mandala within. Working with paint, pens, collage or stamps, visitors created individual healing images to take home with them.
Sarah J Featherstone 