The den of dreams is a textile, mixed media, art installation about my reflections, inner thoughts, feelings about my lived experience with neurodiversity. It will be the first time I have shared this part of me. I wanted to create something that is meaningful and true to my experiences, in the hope that it may resonate with others. I have recently been diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 43 and have found I have felt a lot of grief, shame and discomfort about this. I have not wanted to tell people and then realised that for me to support and advocate for other people through my art..it needs to start with me being more honest with myself and my journey of finding belonging. It came with the realisation of how hard the everyday things are and were for me, especially growing up. I wanted to tell my inner child and younger self all the things I needed to hear. ‘Behind every late diagnosed woman is a little girl who knew this world was never made for her, but could never explain why.’

The den..I used to make them with my little sister at my grandads home with bedsheets and a table and a cardboard house my mum made us. I felt safe and free to be who I was and embrace play (which I think leaves us as we get older) in an imaginary world. To reimagine and create this using textiles, forming blankets of comfort and compassion and stitch gratitude, affirmations and poetry within it.. How we speak to ourselves and embrace gratitude, self affirmations and self care is so important. ‘The words we speak, become the house we live in’ - Hafez, Persian poet.Our words create the inner foundations of our own world and what we reflect and shine out. I want to celebrate the glimmers and feel I am worthy and I do belong. I am not just a label or my hidden/invisible disability, but I want to embrace it as a part of me, not mask it.. Piecing together a patchwork of who I am. I am leaning into radical self care, creating my own little sanctuary. 

The den is a sensory fusion of textures, pattern and colours with patchwork quilts made out of my old clothes, fabric tinsel out of my old scarves and clothes, old crochet blankets and granny squares sewn together, pom poms, beads, light, pattern, poetry and affirmations. My grandads old persian rug inside the den with a glimmering light, sequins and mirrors. 

Some photos feature my little niece Francesca, who is a constant source of inspiration, kindness and curiosity. 

These pieces are infused with heart and love, special moments hand sewing the quilt with my lovely mum Gayna. 

In Memory of my grandad Miguel, a larger than life joyful character who felt like home to me.