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In a Different Light - exhibition and catalogue

In a Different Light (exhibition and catalogue) is inspired by fairy tales, folk tales, mythology and literature; exploring narratives that work to distinguish communities through their allegiance to different belief systems and ancestors, but also unite humanity through the common motifs that recur across diverse cultures’ oral (and, latterly, written) traditions. This practice based research is highly original in its use of image-making techniques that blend still-life tableaux, set design and dramatic landscapes to create imagined places based on folktales from around the world, highlighting archetypes. The writers who collaborated, created a literary response which was presented alongside the images, bringing another level of engagement with the folktale. The written work was exhibited alongside the images and can be found in the catalogue.

The artist surveyed a comprehensive range of stories including Hindu myths, African proverbs, Indian legends, Native American tales and the Old Testament, also studying anthropological theory on their history and evolution. Her influences demonstrate the universality of storytelling, as well as the eclecticism that characterises it.

This work was initiated as a commission from Leicestershire Museums Service to collaborate with creative writers and make new work inspired by a section of the museum’s collection. At the end of the process the artist ran training with teachers and youth workers to explore how the image making can inspire creative writing and vice versa. She was awarded residencies in Nepal and the USA to continue developing the project and exhibited the work in both countries as well as at Milton Keynes Contemporary in the UK. The UK based exhibition and catalogue was funded by Milton Keynes Contemporary and De Montfort University to a total sum of £4000.