UNKNOWN UNKNOWNS (2020) is a project bringing together patient ambassadors for Blood Cancer UK and stem cell researchers working at the Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre. Through a series of stop-motion animation workshops held via Zoom, participants developed hand-cut animation sequences exploring their experiences of ‘the unknown’ in relation to living with blood cancer, the challenges of research and the global uncertainties of Covid-19. Animation materials included paper, velvet and issues of National Geographic published in 1960, the year Blood Cancer UK officially became a charity.
Commissioned by the Wellcome - MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute as part of its Public Engagement programme, project outcomes include an animated film featuring participants’ stop-motion sequences (Futuramic Unknown, 2020) and an installation for the Jeffery Cheah Biomedical Center at Cambridge Biomedical Campus (The Night the Mountains Moved, 2020).
Sunshine England (2022), video still
Here/Now was a 6-month collaboration with a group of unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors from Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan and The Gambia. The project, which considers resilience and presence, was commissioned by Kettle’s Yard and funded by Cambridge City Council with support from Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge Regional College, North Cambridge Community Partnership and Arts Council England.
Collaborative artwork outcomes include a video work Sunshine England and a public installation on the exterior of Nun's Way Pavilion in North Cambridge (also titled Here/Now). For their work on the project, the participants earned an Arts Award, which was presented to them by the Mayor of Cambridge.
