In the first of two residencies between 2019 and 2020, artists Melanie Dare and Claire Bushby work collaboratively to explore the commonalities between their working processes, focusing on cultural connections to place, and relationships between self-identity and community.

During their time in Studio 1, they will host fortnightly sewing circles with local artists and craftspeople, networking with Midland community.

Images: Claire Bushby, Grounding (detail) 2016, wet-felted and hand-stitched Icelandic wool and Melanie Dare, The stories I tell myself (detail), 2017, acrylic paint and ink on Belgium linen, 198 x 167cm