By Ollie in newsletter — 31 Jul 2025

Newsletter #3 July

Hello, it’s been a while! I hope you are all keeping safe and connected. Read on for updates, what’s coming up and some general musing.

I had, of course, planned to publish these newsletters monthly… but that hasn’t quite worked out :)

I’ve been busy with new projects and a period of transition - which has definitely been exciting, but also pretty exhausting as I juggle these new things alongside existing responsibilities. And, needless to say, the daily witnessing of starvation, genocide and the terror led by sociopathic global leaders can be affecting too.

Read on for updates, what’s coming up and some general musings.

PGCE Art & Design – Sabbatical Cover

I had a great time with the UCL/Institute of Education PGCE cohort in June, filling in during their Subject Studies module. It was brilliant being back in the studio, engaging in so many inspiring conversations with emerging artist-educators. It brought back memories of my own journey into teaching, and it’s made me reflect on what’s changed and what’s stayed the same. (I think I’m just getting better at putting the same ideas into words these days!)

It was lovely to see their exhibition come together as they translated developing theory into practice. Well done, everyone and good luck in your new careers as art and design educators!

Neurodivergent Friends Thanet

I recently wrapped up a six-month consultancy with Neurodivergent Friends Thanet. Over eight sessions, I worked with the directors to develop their values, strategy and explore their team dynamics, roles, and responsibilities. I’m so grateful to have been able to test and develop art-based approaches to organisational development.

One highlight from this project was co-designing a set of values cards the organisation will use to periodically check in on how they’re living their values. I’m really interested in how the outcomes of this work can become a living part of practice - rather than dusty documents that get forgotten. I’ll share more as further projects in this area unfold.

The Stuff With No 'Outcome'

It’s great to share outcomes, but honestly, it feels like the real work often happens undercover: invisible, with no tangible result beyond personal and collective growth. I’d love to capture all the changes and shifts of the last six months, but don’t have the writing skills (or time) to bring it all together at the moment! Still, I think it’s worth acknowledging that this invisible work forms the foundation of everything.

Right now, “anti-colonial praxis” feels like the most honest and reflective term for what I’m engaging in. It is an approach that goes beyond theory and action and explicitly seeks to disrupt and challenge colonial hierarchies and Western-centric approaches to knowledge production. It pushes me to self-examine, invite questioning from others (WIP!), and analyse all aspects of life and institutions through an anti-colonial perspective: Who made this? Who benefits? How do existing structures, projects, meetings, buildings, conversations, technology uphold colonial ways of thinking? and crucially how can we embody different ways of knowing beyond colonial frameworks? More on this soon!

Currently reading:

My Grandmother's Hands - Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem. This is such a powerful, practical and insightful book that reminds us that healing starts in the body. Full of ‘body practices’ as well as useful history and lived experience of racial trauma. Highly recommend!

Some photos of cardboard :)

What’s Next…

Research: I’m excited to be leading some research with Goldsmiths University and the Artsmark team. I will be critically investigating the value of cultural collaborations between schools and arts organisations through the Artsmark programme to assess the transformative and pedagogical value of these interconnected partnerships. Updates soon!
Arts in Ramsgate: I’ve been working with Jemma Cullen, director of Arts in Ramsgate, for a while now. We’re kindred spirits and local activists. I’m pleased to be part of a new Arts Council-funded project with four other artists, co-designing their new manifesto and strategy.

Tend Toward Justice

Exploring new opportunities has been really rewarding, but I’m intentionally seeking to work in community wherever possible. That’s why I’ve joined four others to set up a new community interest company: Tend Toward Justice. We’re a group of artists, activists, scholars, researchers, fundraisers, and founders, all with deep experience in the community, arts, and academic sectors.

It’s early days, but our vision is to support social justice organisations build capacity through anti-colonial and justice-oriented practice, using organisational development, research, evaluation, training, and more. Our website launches in September, and our first commission is with the brilliant Autograph as evaluators for a new project. Watch this space for more!