Work from the Cynefin project is being exhibited in Llandough hospital until the end of August. The gallery co-ordinator, Molly Lewis and I arranged the paintings and photographs onto four boards and hung them in the corridor of the hospital where they can be seen by staff, patients and visitors as they pass through. It's … Continue reading Cynefin: In the Gallery
Dance and Film: Cynefin – Week Five
This week, dancer, actor and teacher, June Campbell-Davies came in to work with the children on our Cynefin Project along with Marcus and Nick from Redbrck Production Company. Following introductions, June told the class about her parents' experience of coming from Grenada in the West Indies to the UK post-war, part of a Dance Troupe … Continue reading Dance and Film: Cynefin – Week Five
Dragon Bloom and Other Magical Tales
The after-school Creative Writing and Art course at Llanover Hall finally started again on Thursday after months of lockdown with three new participants and three returning, aged between 8 and 11. A while ago, a friend (see her blog here), showed me how to make an eight page mini book, and it was great to … Continue reading Dragon Bloom and Other Magical Tales
Murals and Sculptures: Cynefin – Week Four
A lovely day for a walk to Penllwyn Manor in Blackwood accompanied by three of the children's fathers. Unfortunately, my attempts to gain access to the house proved unfruitful, though Douglas, the kind man at the council did his best to persuade the present owners of the building to let us have a look around. We … Continue reading Murals and Sculptures: Cynefin – Week Four
Freedom: Cynefin – Week Three
Week three of working with Year 4 and 5 children on the ACW Cynefin project. We had planned to go on a walk to Penllwyn Manor, a local house that was know until recently as the Penllwyn Arms. It was built in the 16th century by Thomas Morgan of the infamous Morgan Family of Tredegar. … Continue reading Freedom: Cynefin – Week Three
Acting Out: Cynefin – Week Two
Week two of working with year 4 and 5 children on the ACW Cynefin project. Ceri, the teacher and I made plans for the next few weeks leading up to June's visit. June is going to work with the children on a short performance that will be captured on film by Nick and Marcus from … Continue reading Acting Out: Cynefin – Week Two
Mapping our Journey: Cynefin – Week One
I have been paired with a primary school in the Caerphilly County Borough to work with Year 4 and 5 children and their teacher on the Arts Council of Wales Cynefin project. After an exciting online planning session, the teacher and I formulated a question to encompass the school's priorities and the requirements of the … Continue reading Mapping our Journey: Cynefin – Week One
Voices From the Future
In January, the company Loud Voices Silent Streets issued a call-out for short monologues (less than 6 minutes) based on the theme of Illusion. My piece originated from a consideration of themes in the ultimate play about illusion, The Tempest. I found the witch, Sycorax fascinating as she is a powerful presence in the play … Continue reading Voices From the Future
Celebrating Poly Styrene
Poly Styrene was an icon and visionary. Of Anglo-Somali heritage, she was the first woman of colour to front a successful rock band, and was a key inspiration for the riot grrrl and Afropunk movements in Britain. Her sparse, potent lyrics still resound today. The documentary Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché,features unseen archive material … Continue reading Celebrating Poly Styrene
Celebrating Breathing Space
Online launch of the wonderful work produced over lockdown by participants of Breathing Space, a group that Katja Stiller and I have been facilitating for the past two years. Transferring onto Zoom during the pandemic, the weekly sessions consist of mindfulness, creative writing and art for people with mild to medium mental health issues. Taking … Continue reading Celebrating Breathing Space
