Creative Responses

For my creative response to my research project, I have created these collages onto wooden plaques, I have then placed them around Brighton and in the window of my own home. Each plaque I have created reflects on the themes that came out of my research workshops, and how they have related to my experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During these uncertain times I found it increasingly difficult to leave the house, to help with my anxiety I set myself the task of leaving a plaque behind on one of my daily allowed walks. I left these plaques behind anonymously, with no expectations of knowing anyone’s reactions, but hoping that they might bring someone some comfort and strength, as they have done for me.

I have also turned these collages into badges and distributed them to people around the UK. These badges can be purchased online, any money I made from these badges in May/June 2020 was then donated to the Emergency Relief & Hardship Fund for UK LGBT Asylum Seekers & Refugees, who were raising funds to help isolated and marginalised refugees and asylum seekers, during COVID-19.

Plaques

You Are Not Alone, Top of Bear Road Brighton, collage, MDF, 10 x 10cm, Megan Pickering, 2020
close up of purple collage, with bright stars and hearts on it with the words 'Unlearn Relearn'
Unlearn Relearn, Queens Park Brighton, collage, MDF, 10 x 10cm, Megan Pickering, 2020
Queer Solidarity, Marine Parade at the bottom of Atlingworth Street, Brighton, collage, MDF, 10 x 10cm, Megan Pickering, 2020
Angry, The Level Brighton, collage, MDF, 10 x 10cm, Megan Pickering, 2020
Hope, Wild Park Dew Pond, Brighton, collage, MDF, 10 x 10cm, Megan Pickering, 2020
Window with blue window frame with eight circle collages inside
Window Brighton, 8x collage, MDF, 10x10cm, Megan Pickering, 2020

Locations of these plaques can be found on this map:

For more information about each design, you can download the artwork descriptions below:

Badges

More badges can be found on my Esty page.