Creating Connections

Spending five months as an Artist in Residence at East Riddlesden Hall, National Trust has allowed me to slow down, observe and connect. I spent five months immersing myself in the collections, the grounds and the historic building near Keighley.

From the very beginning, I was drawn to the hidden patterns within the hall. An important part of my residency involved engaging with visitors and becoming part of the hall’s community. Through conversations, shared stories and celebrations, I gained a deeper understanding of the hall as a living space and not just as a historic building.

One of the most meaningful experiences during my residency was delivering a workshop with women from the South Asian community, many of them might not otherwise have visited the hall. This workshop created a welcoming space for creativity and sharing stories. It was inspiring to see how art can bridge gaps, inviting new voices into historic spaces and allowing different perspectives to be seen and heard.

The body of work I created during this time reflects these layered experiences. Through my practice, I explored the intersection of people, place and history, capturing both the physical and emotional essence of East Riddlesden Hall. The resulting artworks celebrate not only the hall’s heritage but also the contemporary connections formed within it. This residency culminated in a six-month exhibition at the hall, where my work was displayed within the very environment that inspired it. The exhibition created a dialogue between past and present, encouraging visitors to see the hall through a new lens and discover their own connections within its spaces.

I was also honoured to have my work and residency featured in Yorkshire Life magazine. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been part of East Riddlesden Hall’s ongoing story. The residency not only enriched my artistic practice but also reinforced the importance of access, community and the power of art to reveal the hidden patterns that connect us all.