Vlog by Trevor Price
After mind mapping the process post-sessions, it was clear that we felt and witnessed many areas of connection. The main inspiration for the final work was the whole experience of the sessions, not just the artwork made; it was the conversations, interactions, and emotions that were felt going through the process for everyone, and I approached the results as an artist journalist, capturing them.
It took work to link each participant to at least one pre-dominant board and ensure the way the visuals were presented was represented. Each piece stems from a participant’s work and passion expressed in the sessions. I would take their work, consider their main connections, and then contemplate how to represent those things visually. It was much fun immersing myself in the collaging process, physically reprinting, cutting out and using what they had produced and creating little narrative boards that were essentially dedicated to the participants whilst juggling my cat.
For each panel, there was at least one, if not more, that connected to the participants, in alphabetical order:
COMMUNICATION 2024
(Collaged photography, acrylic painting and marker on acrylic board)
Observations from the sessions – (between all of the senses) – talking (conversations, sharing, stories, singing, laughter/humour), listening (conversations, music, observing), body language (hugs, facial expressions, cheek kisses, personal affection, and interactions)
Where the group’s work featured – Freya’s abstract background, Tony’s writings and my observations about the communication styles
CREATIVITY, 2024
(Collaged photography and acrylic painting on paper)
Observations from the sessions – patterns, shapes, constraints, support, freedom, colours, visual communication
Where the group’s work featured – Freya’s peacock, everyone’s abstract backgrounds
FOOD, 2024
(Collaged photography)
Observations from the sessions – sharing, similar likes, biscuits, lunchtimes together
Where the group’s work featured – Gurbax, Alex, Dan and Megan all shared their love for food through their collaging.
GRATITUDE 2024
(Collaged photography and acrylic painting on paper)
Observations from the sessions – love, verbal, body language, vibe/energy
Where the group’s work featured – Alex’s abstract background – The level of gratitude from EVERYONE was palpable at the end of each session and in general. It’s been a really beautiful and rewarding process.
LOVE, 2024
(Collaged photography and acrylic painting on acrylic board)
Observations from the sessions – love your neighbour, caring/support, seeing and spending time with loved ones, friendship, romantic love
Where the group’s work featured – Megan’s background and painting of Dan and Megan. Of course, Dan and Megan had to be the centrepiece, but there was so much multi-layered love in that room. The friendship and support were beautiful.
MUSIC, 2024
(Collaged photography and acrylic painting on paper)
Observations from the sessions – favourite songs, singing, laughter
Where the group’s work featured – Everyone’s abstract background. Alex and Megan shared their love for music; we may have had a little sing-song.
NATURE, 2024
(Collaged photography and acrylic painting on paper)
Observations from the sessions – animals (pet, zoo, farm), gardening
Where the group’s work featured – Philips’s painting of a train as a background texture, Gurbax, Alex, Megan, Freya and Dan’s animal and nature collaging
SPORT, 2024
(Collaged photography and acrylic painting on acrylic board and drawing with markers on paper)
Observations from the sessions – football, rugby, banter
Where the group’s work featured – Dan’s abstract background and Alex and Dan’s paintings and drawings of themselves. They had to have a little five aside!
TRAVEL, 2024
(Collaged photography and acrylic painting on paper)
Observations from the sessions – cars, trains, planes, journeys, trips, destinations, home
Where the group’s work featured – Philip and Remis’s drawings of trains. It was beautiful to see the trains in action and share a bit of escapism
TECHNOLOGY, 2024
(Collaged photography, acrylic painting on paper, and drawing with markers
Observations from the sessions – tools for work – social media, comfort zone, new connections, science, resources, documentation, equipment, connection, understanding
Where the group’s work featured – Remi’s abstract background, collaging, and everyone working to make exploding pixels. Remi’s love for technology and what gives him comfort was clear, so it was really important to capture that connection.
My Final Thoughts
All of the partners and collaborators have been so supportive, and the project has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Thank you so much for choosing me to support everyone in this way and produce some compelling, exciting and fun work.
CONNECTIONS is on display until October, and members of the public can try their hand at the Brain Cleanser Mini Abstract activity Donna did with the group by scanning the QR code on the Interpretation Panel or visiting www.thedpa.uk/dpa-for-you
The exhibition is on display at Coventry Train Station until October 2024.
