Religious sites in Northern and Southern India by Vidya Premraj.

Central Saint Martins

The research the artist discovered surrounding the toxic chemicals in black women’s hair and cosmetic products is groundbreaking and inspiring. – Sean Dendere

Eso Extension

I love how the artist used something as innocent as dating as a methodology to observe gentrification within East London. They translated their ambivalent feelings into a conceptual textile piece and a beautiful stop-motion film showing how the pieces could be used within a short narrative.– Sean Dendere

Eating with yt

Elegantly executed, with bold, poetic imagery and beautiful cinematography. It takes real skill and vision to combine filmed and live elements to this effect. I loved the structure of the piece, it took me on an emotional journey with a poignant ending that had me reflecting on my own childhood.– Jack Hart

The House

Venus has a clear, distinctive and compelling voice as a writer. Her dialogue is fresh and honest, her characters feel like real people, captured with warmth, humour and authenticity and she displays real craft in her ability to structure the episodes. I couldn’t put the script down; I&#39;d love to see it made.– Jack Hart

Fat, Black and Single

I was drawn to Shashamani’s work because of its eye-catching, colourful, and flamboyant pieces. The richness in how the artist seamlessly blends storytelling with culture shines through her designs, bringing me immense joy and making me smile. Despite the piece’s reflection on the past, the pieces feel remarkably modern. I feel they&#39;ve created a space where the Windrush Generation feel seen and embraced. I feel connected to this work as I am reminded of my own family’s journey from Kenya to the UK.– Ruthann Mburu

Gideon’s Army

Jinghan’s work caught my attention because it was out of the ordinary. I felt she took creativity to a whole new level, looking at interesting ways to reuse fabric waste. I felt like a little kid in a candy shop, except this shop was so mind-boggling and fascinating, and I wondered how these sweets would taste. This piece really played with my imagination, and I loved the possibility of how fashion and science could improve the environment and also benefit our tummies.– Ruthann Mburu

FabriCandy

Mwangi wearing folk quilt and bark pants.

Gannon’s work has great depth to it. I find it fascinating how, through the inspiration of magical realism, the artist has re-contextualised something that was the first and only acceptable form of art for American slaves to make. Gannon’s narrative reminds me of how slaves would also use the cornrows on their hair as maps and to deliver messages. Gannon’s work displays cultural creativity, whilst also touching on a sensitive topic with such consideration and detail.– Ruthann Mburu

Black Under the Bark

Side view of the publication and three open spreads

Cristobal touches on the very real and hardly discussed topic of family in the Queer community. I found his investigations into the topic extremely powerful as it breaks down the very idea of family. Many of us have been rejected by our families in one way or another, go through the atypical process of selecting our own chosen family, and also have to deal with the legal and political barriers to having children of our own. My favourite part of the publication was the letters written by queer people to ‘their future, non-existent children’ — people leaving behind the love for children that they always had and will have even when those children may never exist.– Ray Chong

To My Future, Non-Existent Children

I connected immediately with Siting’s work; knowing Mandarin myself, it opened my eyes to a new side of the language. I think this is a very rare work that gives real and first-hand insight into a niche culture poorly understood not just by the West, but also in the conservative East. It’s an enriching read as Siting has chosen to highlight not just contemporary lesbian slang but also traditional slang invented during Imperial China.– Ray Chong

LESBIAN SLANG IN CHINESE

I fractured syllables and disrupted sentence linearity to represent my father’s struggle to articulate words.

I was struck by this story&#39;s beautiful craftsmanship, which Maria took pains to realise through her words and the touching visuals. The publication is the culmination of a highly personal journey and relationship with her father as he deteriorated physically from the degenerative neurological condition Ataxia over a decade. It illustrates through visual poetry the difficulties they faced in communicating and how relentless resilience and the strength of love overcame these physical obstacles.– Ray Chong

Unsteady Ground

War brings immense trauma and scars, often more mental than physical, with children being the most affected as these events shape their formative years. For many children impacted by war, the world seems bleak. This project uses art therapy to offer them a playful and different outlook on life, providing psychological, social, and mental support to young kids who have fled Ukraine to London, either with their parents or alone. This project stands out to me because it specifically addresses the trauma experienced by children aged 7-10. Its wide applicability and replicability mean it can be implemented in other contexts or countries facing situations similar to those in Ukraine. Additionally, it has significant political value as it addresses the broader issue of war and conflict. By combining psychology and design, this project employs hybrid design solutions to tackle the problem effectively.– Wakrot Chinshaka

Art Therapy for Ukrainian refugee kids

This series of photographs are taken from around north and south India, showing different individuals situated in a seminal place of worship.

Culture and identity define who we are. Regardless of how far we travel from our place of origin, our culture remains deeply ingrained in our lives. To ensure our culture&#39;s survival and authenticity for future generations, it&#39;s essential to document every aspect of it. In Vidya&#39;s projects, &quot;Dear Daivam&quot; and &quot;Whistles of Ladakh,&quot; she utilises storytelling to reconnect with her roots and origins, which she felt were slipping away. She immerses her audience in her cultural journey by harnessing the power of voice and narrative, fostering connection and promoting social change. These immersive and engaging projects offer a cultural journey through their videos, providing insights into her traditions and her desire to document fading practices. Additionally, she celebrates those who preserve these traditions, acknowledging that these practices have endured for generations thanks to the individuals who have learned and passed on these skills to future generations.– Wakrot Chinshaka

Documentary Film and Photography

Layered necklace made of palm nut kernaels and silver

The palm tree is renowned as one of the most profitable trees, especially in Africa. Its fronds are used for roofing, the trunk for furniture making, and the fermented sap for palm wine and alcohol. While the palm kernel is commonly used for products like palm oil and dry cakes, the potential of its shells has rarely been creatively explored. Nkaya&#39;s projects not only find an innovative way to craft jewellery from the palm nut seedcase, which is often discarded as waste but also imbue it with significant cultural value by incorporating intricate Kongo patterns. This transforms the seedcase from mere waste into a culturally valuable piece. Moreover, the project emphasises the importance of a circular economy by designing jewellery from the seedcase and recycled precious metals, thereby enhancing its value.– Wakrot Chinshaka

Palms

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