My Journey And Other Stories
Shiraz Bayjoo, ‘Overwhelmed’ (2014). Digitised collage, acrylic ink on paper with archival lithograph. Co-commissioned by Iniva and A Space for Emotional Learning Cards “A-Z of Emotions”.
My Journey and Other Stories were a series of workshops developed and led by artist Shiraz Bayjoo. The series saw young patients explore emotional storytelling through drawing, painting, and collage-making. Using INIVA emotional learning cards–which encourage emotional literacy and challenge ideas about who can make art–students explored how colour, forms, and textures can be used to express the way we feel and understand ourselves.
Engaging both long and short-term patients, Shiraz Bayjoo invited participants to create maps that represent psychological, emotional and real-life journeys which their families–or they themselves– have taken. Through these painted, abstract landscapes, students had the space to unravel moments of hardship and courage, as well as moments of wonder and celebration. Reflecting the diversity of patients at the Royal London Hospital, the students considered how our families, our heritage, and our identities can help individuals and communities navigate complex–and often difficult–times.
The workshops also considered the experience of migration and conflict, along with issues about ecology and the environment. Working with established artist Shiraz Bayjoo offered patients and local residents an opportunity to access new art and discover the transformative power of creativity, which they might not otherwise access.
The resulting works, some of which can be seen below, were collated by Shiraz Bayjoo and reproduced as framed prints for an exhibition for Creativity and Wellbeing week at the Royal London Hospital in June 2019. They have now been permanently installed in a corridor of the Royal London Children’s Hospital.
This initiative was part of Outset’s partnership with the inspiring Saja Foundation, which pays homage to Saja Tourbah Dada with a mission to help people through the power of art, by supporting artists and providing art therapy in hospitals and supporting emerging artists. Their first collaboration, together with Art Night, was Do Ho Suh’s large scale installation “Bridging Home, London”.
This project was developed for Vital Arts in collaboration with Art Night, kindly supported by Saja Foundation and Outset:
