Artist-researcher working with uncertainty through creative practices, centred in ceremony
My research project explores heartfelt and creative ways to live with health uncertainty when we cannot turn to any god. In the absence of a religious faith, this project invites respectful connection with the more-than-human. It is my wish to appreciate the sacred within the everyday world around us. Here, Ceremony is a container to hold rich and honest dialogue about such tender matters.
The enquiry blossomed out of my own challenge of experiencing cancer treatment first hand, which left me in deep uncertainty. In times of such soul sickness, we may feel a longing to fertilise radical re-imaginings of our future selves and our relationships.
This project is not shut away in a university. I work closely with other artists, and community radio, to communicate and involve people in my research. This ranges from making resonant objects to radio works to collaborative workshops in person and on-line.
Creating contemporary ceremony is at the heart of this research-practice. For example, I collaborated with a Nature & Forest Therapy Guide and a small group of people who have experienced breast cancer treatment, to devise an intimate series of six ceremony-gatherings held in a beautiful garden.
