Art of Play was a group commission from 20/21 Visual Arts Centre, which placed artists and designers in nursery and primary school settings across Scunthorpe. Over a series of visits, we worked alongside children to develop new work for an interactive touring exhibition for all ages. I was based in a preschool setting, where I brought in ordinary, familiar objects that were safe and tactile for the children to explore. I watched and played alongside them, noting which objects and combinations drew them in. From these observations I built experimental pieces and took them back to the school to test how the children responded and what held their interest. This process led to a group of sculptures, including sponge and hanging-basket forms, and an A–Z of Objects game inviting gallery visitors to invent their own combinations.
