making art

10 days with pen, paper and photographs…

| vornster

Olivia James reflects on her recent Hatching residency at The Nest.

In recent times I have been drawn back to analogue ways of working and life, without pressure or restricting myself (I still love the convenience, immediacy and fun technology brings and the worlds and connections that are discovered, I won’t be throwing away my mobile phone or pausing my social media any time soon!). I knew that in my first week at The Nest I wanted to not use my laptop – be without the distraction and temptation of doing or looking at other things. I arrived with pen and paper and an open mind to approach the 10 days ahead flexing my writing muscles; quite literally using hand and finger muscles.

Continue reading →

Finding Wilderness and Kin

| vornster

[Long Read] Co-AD Janet reflects on her participation in DutchCulture’s International Visitor’s Programme exploring Regeneration in Arts and Culture.

My first garden in Amsterdam is the one outside my hotel window.

I’m on the third floor and there is the crown of a mature birch tree at the centre of my view: dark, delicate arches of witches-broom twigs with small golden yellow leaves back-lit by pinky morning sun. There’s a wren – that I can’t see – singing its heart out and, every so often, a trio of squawking green necked parakeets sail over.

Continue reading →

Working Title: “Missing”

| vornster

Kate Taylor reflects on her recent Hatching Residency at The Nest

Pre week 1, the offer of a familiarisation was presented by Talking Birds. I felt heard, and knew it would support certain traits linked to my ADHD; anxiety around new territory, expectation. Basically any over thinking put at ease. So a couple of weeks before my residency began, I met the core team at TB, saw the space, and felt super at home. Note to self… should I feel I need this in the future, just ask!

Continue reading →

THE SLOW WALK TO IT TAKES A CITY

| dereknis

It Takes a City has had a long fuse. It was first sparked over 15 years ago by a story I was told by Paul Duncombe, who was looking after the Belgrade Theatre on the night of the 12th of March 2008, when much of Coventry City Centre was evacuated, due to an unexploded 50kg WW2 German bomb, discovered by workers excavating the site behind the theatre that was to become Belgrade Plaza.

Continue reading →

Insects, Motherhood, Art

| vornster

Adele Mary Reed reflects on her recent Hatching residency at The Nest.

There is nowhere like a nest to knuckle down and nourish yourself. Contained, safe, with wise guardians popping in and out. A trail of breadcrumbs lead me there, meandering path through years, motherhood, lockdowns, urban redevelopment, relationships, travel, wildflowers.

Continue reading →

Menarche

| Charlie

Ayesha Jones reflects on her Hatching residency with Talking Birds

As a photographic artist and documentary photographer, I use photography to communicate and process thoughts and experiences. Having inattentive ADHD, I often float off into my own little world. But capturing images allows me to hit the pause button on life, letting me revisit moments and understand my thoughts, feelings and other people better. Photography also provides a voice when words often fall short. A flowery way of saying, I am a massive visual learner and communicator. When emotions run deep, photography becomes my lifeline for expression.

Continue reading →

A MIDWEEK CUCKOO ATE MY CRANKIE

| Charlie

Prashant Kansara reflects on a Talking Birds Hatching residency…

My residency at Talking Birds took place earlier this year over five super sunny summer days in July. Three months have passed since that time and I’m surprised at how much the experience impacted the way I work now. 

I’d learned of this residency programme the previous summer during one of the Nestival of Ideas talks and was keen to apply when the chance came around. When I heard that my proposal was accepted I was delighted yet still a bit apprehensive since I’d never done a residency before. However, soon after starting I realised that it was pretty much what it said on the tin: time and space to develop my creative idea in a supportive and stress-free environment.

Continue reading →

It was a whole thing

| Charlie

Lily Smith reflects on her Hatching Residency at Talking Birds

Being provided with time, space, and money to do something you love has the ability to change your life. As a freelancer, finding even one of these can prove a mission, and we rarely get the freedom to indulge in our creation without a healthy balance between the three. 

I have played guitar for 8 years, but I’ve never made a song. I began performing with different singers around Coventry, working on their songs, composing for talented artists, yet I struggled whenever I sat down with myself. 

Continue reading →

WHY DO WE PARTICIPATE IN THE EXPLOITATION OF OTHERS AND OURSELVES?

| Charlie

Holly Clark reflects on a Nest Residency exploring our relationship with reality TV.

During lockdown, some learnt to play an instrument, others started a new craft, I binged watched reality TV. The more I watched the more I discovered, each coming with new appeals and new ethical issues. I knew the ethics and practices on these shows were dubious, there’s been deaths connected to them, yet I and many, many others still watched. 

Continue reading →