Join us at our April virtual artist peer group, an opportunity to hear from two artists about their practice. Our peer groups provide the space for artists to share active ideas, projects and challenges, with peer support from audience participants. Each artist has approximately 35mins to share works and receive feedback.

This month we have artists Sarah Nabarro and Carrie Ravenscroft. sharing works and ideas. Want to share your work at a future group? Fill out our application form.

The event takes place over Zoom with a break in the middle.

Images: Sarah Nabarro

About Sarah Nabarro

Since 2013, Sarah’s work has been primarily concerned with exploring aspects of selfhood, blending psychological and spiritual perspectives. The tension between the individual and the desire for the Universal (inspired by Buddhist philosophy) is also a constant theme. Diagnosed as Dyspraxic ten years ago, neurodivergence has shaped and defined her life and engagement with the world. While embracing her difference in her work, however, she also implicitly questions whether it might be possible to find, in our uniqueness, a common thread that brings us together – a kind of humanity.

Using pen and ink and incorporating text to expand the expressive possibilities of an image, she also uses spilled ink (“spillages”) to disrupt the predictability of form. Currently training in the Therapeutic Application of the Arts at IATE, she has been inspired by the concept of visual journaling, feeding that into a spontaneous approach to expressive art. She has previously taken courses with the Turps Art School and at The Royal Drawing School and read Social Anthropology at Cambridge University.

About Carrie Ravenscroft

I’m Carrie Ravenscroft, an artist and mental health advocate from London, who identifies as she/her. Through my artwork I aim to address discrimination, stigmatisation and ignorance relating to mental health and neurodivergence. Alongside my art practice, I am also a mental health support worker at Mind and a trainee Art Therapist. I oscillate between seeing art as a psychological escapism OR an immersion. Oh and I absolutely LOVE blending pretty, shiny colours, painting on pieces of cardboard, breaking art rules and mixing media in ridiculous ways!

As an introverted, sensitive person, socialising can be exhausting. I am aware of the importance of creating my own safety bubble, to recharge my energy. For me, art is self-soothing; for example, when I’ve experienced Sensory overload, I can get absorbed, hyper-focused, in the flow of painting. Recently, I’ve felt value in sharing experiences with others, whilst remaining aware of the benefits of my alone time. Putting my art out there, online at present, has become a way of connecting with something bigger than myself. I’m recognising the importance of connection, collaboration and community, whilst continuing to take care of my well-being.

This project is called ‘The Bigger Picture’. There are 24 individual pieces of cardboard, with connecting patterns creating a larger image. The paint is a mixture of metallic ink, neon acrylic and most importantly, shiny iridescent watercolour! Using these paints feels like magic, and I love that the paint changes colour, depending on the angle it is viewed from. As a neurodivergent person, balance is becoming important for me, and part of that is balancing my individual needs within a community.

Recently I’ve been learning to accept my neurodivergence and stop masking in order to fit in with neurotypical humans. I’m surprised by how liberated, excited and connected I feel. Not everything or everyone has to connect though; boundaries are important. Disconnecting is also sometimes necessary. I’d like to discuss this work further with you and hear your thoughts and ideas on how I can take this concept forward.

Cost

Pay What You Can (suggested donation £5) / Free