Home

And find out how sensory ethnography, when combined with collaborative art and design, can influence and promote sustainability.

In my own practice and through participatory, art-led workshops, I create work that reveals and reinforces a community’s connection to their landscape. Engaging people in the creative process allows data to be ‘mapped’ visually and presented as drawings, artwork, three-dimensional models, video, and illustrated publications. The process of co-creation encourages reflection about the future of a landscape, and the resulting data can be used in dialogue with stakeholders to help build resilience to change. My clients range from local schools and community groups to, universities, environmental organisations, and NGOs.

Ecogeographer is run by me, Dominica (Dom) Willliamson, an artist and designer who draws inspiration from landscape.

One of the interesting things that came out of your work in Zanzibar was one of the old men talked about the historical way they used to manage octopus fisheries. So they would only fish for octopus for 3 days, twice a month, so immediately that was a strategy that we could build on to or latch on to. So that old guy may not have been someone we would have gone to speak to, he may not have come forward, he may not have been called. When you have focus groups he may not have been selected. Lorna Slade, Mwambao Coastal Community Network

I believe that using creative, sensory methods, in close partnership with NGOs, is an effective way of drawing out indigenous knowledge and experience, especially with individuals who lack the confidence to write or speak in an interview scenario. When people are encouraged to tune into their senses and participate in creative activities, they tend to respond more naturally. This might be through quiet discussion while making, or through practical workshops based around drawing, model-making, simple sculpture, sound recording, photography or video. To develop this approach, I’ve drawn on Sarah Pink’s innovative ‘Sensory Ethnography’ work as well as current research by other anthropologists.

I found the combination of the science and art fascinating; Andy Nelson the conservationist talked about the habitat of some of the plants we were to draw and also the way the site is managed: Dominica Williamson our artist, gave us insight into the botanical process and a lot of guidance on how draw and paint the plants; a very enjoyable and inspiring day. Participant, Anne Schneider

I founded Friends of The Towans Art Club with artist Hilary Jean Gibson and the support of ranger Martin Rule and the Dynamic Dunescapes’ team in Cornwall. We are holding A Big Dune Draw each year to extend the reach of the project.