sensory mural

As part of my work exploring co-creation, neurodivergent approaches and nature-human connection I wanted to explore how to create a process that includes the people who would experience the artwork.

I painted this sensory room after running workshops around nature with students and teachers at an inclusive learning department by the sea in Kent. Being neurodivergent myself, I had some understanding that engaging different senses would be important. I wanted to make the experience really immersive and so to bring the under the sea theme to life we held workshops bringing in different shells, ‘ancient chests’, played under the sea music and spent time getting to know the incredible facts all the students knew about the creatures under the sea.

We explored their links to the sea here in Kent, what they loved about it and what creatures they imagined. I learnt a lot about ways to cultivate a safe space for people with different needs and I wanted the students to be able to see their designs when they needed to take time out from learning or were feeling overwhelmed.