In January 2024, Alice presented an interactive installation piece, MentorShip, as one of the cohort of commissioned artists for Diverse Capacities.
Diverse Capacities is an AHRC-funded project that seeks to build a knowledge exchange network for the creative industries across the Solent region between local government officers, creative communities, and creative industry professionals. In 2023, programme sessions explored working relationships within the region, artists’ influences within their career and the mentoring relationship.
Image Credit: We Make Southampton.
MentorShip
Alice’s installation invited reflection upon what a mentor is or could be, whether a mentor needs to know they are a mentor, if a mentor can be non-human (eg. a relationship with place, a living organism or a space in which we feel seen or nurtured in some way).
The MentorShip itself had sails covered in creative writing based upon answers from the public to specific questions about mentoring relationships.
Those engaging with installation were also invited to create a piece of creative writing in response to questions in the space, and then to share their artwork on the walls.
The piece also placed the participant in a role as an encouraging self-mentor through an eye-gazing practice using the Me-ntor Mirror porthole.
There was also an opportunity to leave a piece of advice and take a piece of written advice using the Message in a Bottle station.
Message in a Bottle. Image Credit: We Make Southampton.
Creative writing reflecting on mentoring relationships. Image credit: We Make Southampton.
Image credit: We Make Southampton.
You can read more about Diverse Capacities and each piece shared by all the artists here.
