Colourings by Lucy Hill

Research Overview:

This project is a Draíocht children's art commission as part of Draíocht's 25th birthday celebrations. The work has been inspired by Dr. Tyson Lewis’s exploration the anti-fascist potential of childhood colouring and colour perception through Walter Benjamins writings. The work in the exhibition draws on this conceptual framework to present an exhibition of soft sculptures for children that evolves over time in the gallery space and has an accompanying learning and engagement space that has also been designed to fit conceptually with the gallery work. The work has included collaborations by the artist with fashion designer Orla Langan and sound designer Adam Kennedy. The project has been curated by Helen O’Donoghue. 
 

Research Context & Questions:

• How might abstract colourings be transformed into participatory, multisensory experiences for children?
• How might philosophical theory influence the creation of art for children? 

• What insights emerge for art education from collaborative creative practice in a gallery-based environment?

   

Methodology:

• Art studio-based research practice: Soft sculptures created and inspired by the artists own sketchbook colourings and the theories of Walter Benjamin on colour perception in childhood, particularly its anti-fascist potential. 
• Collaborative design: Partnership with fashion designer Orla Langan (tactile form) and sound designer Adam Kennedy (interactive soundscape), curator Helen O’Donoghue (aesthetic and theoretical curation & discussion). 
• Engagement: Children invited to manipulate, play with, and recompose sculptures in the gallery. Visiting schools groups, July provision, preschools and family days (not as research participants, but as research outcome explorers. No data is being gathered from gallery visitors).

• A/r/tographic reflection: artist/researcher/teacher positioned reflective writings and creative reflection on the collaborative process. 

   

Key Collaborators:

• Lucy Hill – Artist & Researcher
• Orla Langan – Fashion designer, lecturer, NCAD
• Adam Kennedy – Sound designer
• Helen O’Donoghue – Guest Curator, Draíocht Blanchardstown

Research Outputs:

• Exhibition at Draíocht Blanchardstown (dissemination of art studio practice-based research)
• Interactive, wearable soft sculptures and responsive soundscape (creative outputs)
• Written reflections generated through a/r/tographic reflection for further theoretical writing and connections through arts-based methods. 
• Learning and engagement program developed through theory and collaboration to align with the gallery work. 
• Practice days and seminars developed for artist educators and curators with the exhibition as starting point for development. 
• Project presentation Women's Impact Network IOE event. May 2026
• Project presentation ESAI conference symposium with SAEM colleagues. May 2026. 
  
   

Further Information:

Colourings – Lucy Hill