Curating Art’s Social Economies

2022 was a year of connections, old and new. Researcher, cosmetic scientist and writer Caroline Macmillan had undergone her journey of transformation from the world of fashion textiles years prior. We reconnected for the 5th episode of her podcast Sensuous Peripheries, self-described as engaging in conversations with the leading minds shaping our design futures through multidisciplinary knowledge-seeking and embodied experience.

Returning to education with a new awareness of my neurodivergence was an eye-opening experience for me. I was also encountering challenges with group work despite having a deep toolkit (and evidence) of productive collaboration; discussing projects that were collective endeavours felt awkward. Interacting with Caroline allowed me to reflect on that state: awareness of positionality is essential; trust is based on repeat behaviour and binding with a common goal; no position is fixed; and we need to be kind to ourselves and each other as we bend and stretch outside our comfort zone.

Link to the episode here via Apple Podcasts.