Email [email protected] Instagram @amelia_hawk_ Shop ameliahawk.bigcartel.com Amelia Hawk is a socially engaged artist based in North Yorkshire, UK. She is interested in how objects, artworks and events can hold space* for conversation that is uncomfortable, happily political and frequently about mental health. Her practice explores what tools and objects we might use to instigate these conversations, and what spaces and structures of support we might need to generate. Many projects often integrate counselling strategies within them, as a way of creating spaces for conversation that isn’t afraid.
By exploring how to hold space and what this might look like, she often investigate how conversation and listening can act as a support structure, and create new ways of listening and places to hear* from. These conversations are often supported by an action, activity, event or object this could be the act of creating a tea, holding an object, being present in water. These actions and objects aim to create enough of a container, and feeling of comfort for discussion to begin from.
To support this way of working Amelia has trained to Level 3 in Counselling, ethically underpinning her work and creating a way of supporting others to run alongside and at times weave into her practice. Amelia is also trained in Forest Therapy, and integrates learning from this into her wider work.
She has founded and runs Holding Space, an organisation focusing on art and mental health.
*to hold space is to listen without judgment, to be present *including non-vocalised forms of listening and hearing
Qualifications: MA Oslo National Academy of the Arts Level 3 Counselling Skills Forest Therapy Mental Health First Aid