The Nest

Finding Wilderness and Kin

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[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.

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Working Title: “Missing”

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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!

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Insects, Motherhood, Art

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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.

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space to move

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Rosa Francesca reflects on her recent Hatching Residency

Impetus and Intention

In early 2024 I suffered an illness that rapidly took over my life. I had been experiencing joint issues for a few years, and because of this illness I quickly deteriorated further to the point that I could barely walk or speak and became an ambulatory wheelchair user. I fully expected to be totally unable to walk by the end of the year, however after spending time in hospital I was able to massively improve my health and found myself gaining back my mobility.

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Confusion is where breakthroughs happen too

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n:u reflects on their recent Nest Residency, which followed on from – and built on – their time as a MAIA fellow and residency at Yard.

During my residency with Talking Birds i reflected on my practice, and my sense of direction. 5 years ago my first contract in the UK was with Talking Birds for a residency. It was remote from home, due to COVID-19 lockdown. This time again, as an ode to that time i did the residency remote. i started walking a lot around Birmingham more than i had done across 4 years living here. Walking supports my digestive processes and i had a lot to digest.

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Treading Water

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Reisz Amos reflects on his recent Hatching Residency, which followed on from – and built on – his time as a MAIA fellow and his residency at Yard.

“The freedom to discover without pressure of presentation
has allowed me to dream dreams I didn’t believe I was allowed to.
Talking Birds has cultivated the birth of a new creative version of myself!”

Reisz ‘Odd Priest’ Amos

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It’s easier to support others than express myself

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Chloe Deakin reflects on her creative Residency with Talking Birds

I was very nervous as apart from being in drama A-level I have always been on the ‘other’ side of the arts, acting more as a facilitator/producer/filmmaker capturing/enabling others rather than expanding on my own practice.

My residency focused on exploring the themes of worldbuilding and capitalism through sculpture and writing—or so I thought! Quickly, the themes expanded to sculpture and theatre, as I needed to develop the presentation of the themes, and my processes more than the themes themselves.

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Menarche

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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.

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space and time to understand the nuances

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Gayatri Pasricha reflects on her Hatching Residency

The range of reactions to the messiness of a miscarriage and other fertility issues, especially from those around me, left me a little confused and a little scarred. I was asked not to discuss my pregnancy for the first three months and then the miscarriage, then not speak of the miscarriage later as why delve on the negative, my poor dog was blamed for pulling me during his walk, tennis, everything I ate.

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