A creative workshop exploring connection, memory and belonging through tracing, dry-point etching and digital transformation with artist Donald Shek.

How do we form connections across cultures, communities and generations?

Join artist Donald Shek for a creative, hands-on workshop exploring how personal objects can hold memories of stepping beyond the familiar and encountering new people, places and communities.

This session begins with British East and Southeast Asian experiences of social spaces where participants are asked to bring a photograph or object connected to a social memory.

This can be a moment when you took a leap of faith into somewhere unfamiliar, met people outside your usual community, or experienced an unexpected connection. Connection might have happened through movement, music, gesture, food, conversation, shared activity, or simply being present together.

During the session, participants will:

• Share the memory or story connected to their chosen object or photograph;
• Explore the people, places and sensations surrounding that memory through informal conversation;
• Trace their image or object to create a hand-drawn impression;
• Develop their drawing through dry-point etching;
• Optionally photograph or scan their object or tracing.

Through conversation, tracing, dry-point etching and optional digital scanning, these memories will be transformed into a collective artwork informing Donald’s upcoming exhibition Dance With Me.

No experience is needed - just curiosity and a willingness to share and create.

This session is free to attend, with refreshments provided.

All generations and backgrounds are welcome, and we particularly welcome BESEA (British East and Southeast Asian) participants, alongside people with experiences of crossing cultures, communities or generations.

Travel expenses up to £10 per participant can be reimbursed. Please contact Donald via donshi@donshiart.com with receipts to request this, along with any other questions you may have.

For more information about Dance With Me, visit donaldshek.co.uk/news-reel/dance-with-me

Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.