SDA 2022 Entries

• Landscape + Public Realm - The space around, between and within buildings that is publicly accessible, including streets, squares, parks and open spaces. These areas and settings support or facilitate public life and social interaction. 
• Public Building - Public Buildings used by the public for any purpose, such as assembly, education, entertainment, government, healthcare, transport or worship. This will also include civic centres, community centres, libraries, visitor centres, culture, health + wellbeing, faith, education, sports venues and stadia, transport, central + local government, entertainment and event venues
• Temporary Structure - A Temporary Structure that is not intended to remain where it is erected for more than a short period of time. This award focuses on the increase of temporary and pop-up structures being more sophisticated and aesthetical in their design

Patterns designed by young people in the care of Waltham Forest in collaboration with Waltham
Forest Virtual School and artist Angela Groundwater. Through workshops at the William Morris
Gallery and via Zoom during lockdown, the young people made patterns using drawings and their
significant objects to celebrate their lives.
Objects that we use and love become instilled with meaning, history and memories. They act as
vehicles for our sacred stories, gateways to conversations and invitations into our narrative. When
these objects are placed into intricate repeat patterns, something new emerges. Transformed into
the reassuring enclosure of wallpaper or a soft cushion to curl up with, the patterns become
reminders of the everyday things through which we live our lives.
The project challenged young people to create beautiful designs from their lived experiences. They
were inspired to look at the world through craft, whilst exploring it as a viable career. This project
comes to life in the context of William Morris’s work, anchored in the traditions of the Arts and
Crafts movement and Morris himself, who spoke of ‘beautiful items for everyday use.’
‘Sacred Stories’ is a display celebrating young people’s lives and the unique paths they walk. It is a
reminder that their —and our— sacred stories are everywhere.

This project was developed between Feb 2021 and July 2021
The cost was £8665

The project is two part.
The Children bring in their significant objects - their favourite things & we chat about them, then I photograph them and build patterns.
I also take the children through some pattern making workshops using pencils, Collage, Glue, leaves - found objects
Then we print these onto vinyl wallpaper & fabrics to make cushions from.

This project should be considered because it is important to celebrate & promote these group of little heroes & in doing so help them to also.

This project was all about the children in the care of Waltham Forest, displayed in the iconic Museum of William Morris with Waltham Forest and then shared with it's local community. The response was tremendous. People felt the love and felt pride of their area when they came to see the exhibition.

We started this project over lock down. There were so many starts and stops. The initial workshops were on zoom. This proved very hard. Getting the children materials, getting back to move onto the next stage. All so different when you are not in the same room It is also hard to get teenagers to engage.
The second part - workshop at the William Morris Gallery was much more successful. Sharing with them the beauty of William Morrises world, inspiring them, very worth it and just shows how much we need physical engagement.

As I said above - this group needs to be celebrated. Design is such a great tool for this - as activism, to promote and nudge people into more positive outlooks. Not yelling at people but gently pointing out how amazing these kids are.
We have so much investigation with what's wrong with society, where we messed up how vulnerable groups are neglected. These things are all very true but what about promotion and celebration - where is that? They keep getting told it's awful. Can't they be told they are wonderful and can have a bright future.

I wasn't sure which category to apply to so as this is an exhibition, it could fit here
It was up from the 20th July 2021 until the 20th September 2021
After this we are looking at touring the show
Then the children will get the wallpaper and cushions to take home.