Kritika Agarwal reflects on their recent Hatching Residency at The Nest
At the start of my residency, I aimed to explore South Asian queer themes through bold textiles and installation. Growing up under Section 377, with no queer representation and little dialogue around queerness, I wanted to create something that would fill the silence of my childhood.
Continue reading
Polly Merredew reflects on her recent Hatching Residency at The Nest.
Fragments, threads and weaving. Three little words, giving rise to many thoughts and questions.
What is my place and how am I woven into this world?
Continue reading
Lucy Grubb reflects on her recent Hatching Residency at The Nest.
The Moon is a Satellite,
and this city itself feels like my own private constellation.
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
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.
Continue reading
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.
Continue reading
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.
Continue reading“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
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.
Continue reading
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
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.
Continue reading
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
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
Words from the Birds 