As part of my 2025–2026 residency with the City of Ryde, I facilitated How It Feels, a hands-on creative workshop series inviting the community to explore emotion through making. Building on these workshops, I’m now inviting the residents of Ryde to join me in creating a collaborative community textile artwork.
Who: People of any age with a connection to Ryde — anyone who lives, studies, or works in the area.
What: I’m inviting people to help create a large textile work capturing the many different feelings experienced by the people of Ryde — a bit like a heat map of feelings. The work will be made up of individual blocks (max. 30 x 30 cm) contributed by members of the public. Each block should relate to a feeling or experience — including mixed feelings. It might be something you’re feeling right now, a feeling that holds particular significance for you, or even what comes up while you’re making the block. Your block can be abstract, representational, or anywhere in between. All contributors will be acknowledged as co-authors of the final work.
How: Your block should be made from a material that can be sewn together with the others. It can involve multiple layers of material, glued or stitched together, and embellished with stitching or drawing.
Where: You can make your block at home and deliver it to Westward Cottage, 8 Turner St, Ryde 2112. If you’d like support, materials, or tools, you’re welcome to drop in during my open hours — Monday 2–4pm or Tuesday 2:30–4:30pm — or contact me to arrange another time.
When: I’m aiming for a public showing of the finished artwork at Westward Cottage on Saturday, 26 September. To make that happen, I’d love to receive your finished block by Saturday, 12 September.
Why: This project is an invitation to explore your own creativity and self-expression. Feelings can be difficult to put into words, but art offers a powerful way to communicate our inner experience. I want to honour the rich creative and emotional life of the people of Ryde.
Tom Isaacs 