Sally Huband: Workshop Bursary Blog
We had the absolute pleasure of working with artist and author, Sally Huband on a Workshop Bursary recently. Her time in the Gaada workshop resulted in many beautiful outcomes, one of which was a publication that we are proud to have launched in our online shop.
Sally kindly shared a bit more of her experience with us here:
I’m obsessed with eggcases and used my time at Gaada to explore this fixation in the form of a small concertina book. Daniel showed me how to combine pencil sketches, linocuts and photographs with fragments of text.
Seeing a simple pencil drawing of a skate transformed into a vibrant print using the risograph machine was a form of magic and it was good to demystify the art of foil printing too. Vivian and Daniel led me to the work of artists I had not encountered before, like Enid Marx and guided me through the zine library.
At times, I felt a little overwhelmed by all the possibilities that a Workshop Bursary with Gaada can allow but Daniel gently steered the workshop process along and kept me on course. Making a small concertina book allowed me to explore eggcases and their meanings in a new way and this was freeing and joyful. I can see how making books might support my writing practice.
I did experience imposter syndrome in the first session but Daniel and Vivian explained that this is common and by the final workshop I had given myself full permission to dedicate more time to art and book making. I think this is because Gaada actively encourage people who have no training, who make art in their spare time. I’m also grateful to Aimee Labourne who led Da Voar Draw, a series of guided drawing prompts in the spring of 2021. Taking part in this gave me the impetus to apply for a Workshop Bursary.
Spending time at Gaada also helped me through a period of relative isolation due to chronic illness and treatment. I sometimes mask my illness but at Gaada I felt able to articulate my needs. Working with people so dedicated to inclusion was really restorative.
I’m conscious of all the unseen work that Gaada do, to secure funding. Sincere thanks to all the staff and volunteers and to Lenny the dog for his great company too.
