Visual Art

I design immersive light installations using textiles, crochet work, and LED lights. The experience creates a sensory space for neurodivergent people who need to regulate at home, in the workplace, or within institutions. The design is intentionally affordable, easy to create and place, and can be utilised by anyone who uses visual stimulus to achieve equilibrium.

The light is crocheted using any colour synthetic or cotton yarn. A balloon is used to keep the yarn shape while it is immersed in a mixture of water and PVA glue. Once dry, the balloon is removed leaving the shape intact, and an optional crochet basket is attached beneath. The light can be hung using an LED torch which doesn't heat up and is completely safe.

I am a visual artist specialising in accessible textile and light installations that create immersive sensory experiences. The problem with being a neurodiversity advocate is that our experiences can feel too removed from many people’s lives, but with creative and immersive art-based solutions more people can begin to understand and celebrate our differences together. In my university I have created a student neurodivergent social hub and sensory-friendly space. One of the challenges the community had when beginning our social events was using a space that everyone could feel at peace and regulate themselves while in college. Lighting, amongst other things such as sound and temperature, was very important to many of us. The light installation I have created is affordable, easy to use, and regulates emotions from creation to installation. The action of completing a crochet project feels very much like a regulatory 'stim', an action or activity of motion that helps the body process excess or unwanted energy. The act of making one of the sensory lights helps me to remain calm, gives me a sense of accomplishment and joy, and when it is hung it creates a space filled with peace that can be enjoyed by everyone.

I have found that through Universal Design principles it is possible to create an inclusive habitable world, and if experiences of inclusivity are creative in their design and accessibility, then individuals are more likely to continue using new design initiatives for their communities. Academic research can feel too removed from everyday lives, and viewed as inaccessible by the people who need to understand it. The participants in research should be able to see themselves reflected in work that is easy to understand and access. If the concept of sensory needs, how it feels to need to 'stim', and how beautiful a space using sensory awareness can be for everyone is made accessible, then maybe mutual understanding of different neurotypes can be closer than previously thought.