Impact case study database

1) Fostering understanding and learning through participatory projects

1.1 Enhancing cultural experience and public understanding

The broad appeal of Stockwell’s highly-political work facilitates international touring and exhibition, where the local context is emphasised, for example, the relevance of her work Territory Dress to Dutch audiences when it was exhibited at the Tropen Museum, Amsterdam (S1).

Figure 1. Tropen Museum Website Homepage

Through Boîte-en-Valise: Generator, Stockwell and her co-artists were able to bring emotional comprehension to topics such as political and artistic refugees.

“Art galleries in Cuba closed their doors to me and here I am now, writing on the wall of this gallery, fragments of my story, freely” – Abisay Puente, artist (R4)

These issues are pertinent as many countries, including the UK and USA, erect barriers by enacting policies restricting travel and immigration. By supporting her co-artists, Stockwell and her work helped to empower people disenfranchised by their governments, so raising awareness of this issue in a compassionate and contemplative manner.

Figure 2. Feature in The Guardian

Stockwell was commissioned to create Jerusalem-By-Exit for the exhibition, Should I Stay or Should I Go? which generated national interest and media discussion (S2), challenging visitors to weigh the psychological consequences of Brexit. Stockwell uses the relationship between the private self and wider society as a tool to promote social awareness, such as with her mediations on currency in Trade Winds or the modern relationship with historical colonialism in SEA-MARKINGS.

1.2 Decolonising textiles, museum spaces and collections. Stockwell’s choice of subject matter and material questions colonialization, globalization, trade and migration. Her work has been internationally recognised as part of an important shift in the curation of museum spaces to decolonise their collection (S3).

Figure 3. National Army Museum website

1.3 The Commemoration of Rehabilitation, Reconciliation and Peace. Stockwell’s extensive Peace Maker project, commissioned by the National Army Museum, has toured six regimental museums showcasing the struggles and rehabilitation of the participating soldiers. Throughout the project, Stockwell worked with soldiers to lead them through an exploratory, creative process which helped them build self-confidence, artistic development and personal understanding of their experiences. By focusing on rehabilitation and reconciliation, Stockwell expressed an aspect of the soldiers’ lives which is often not commemorated in artistic works but remains crucial to soldiers living today (S4).

1.4 Incorporating methodology into corporate spaces. Stockwell’s durational project at Pinsent Masons has enabled the company to address a pressing need for closeness and therapeutic outlets in trying times for the 500 staff in their London office. During the pandemic, Stockwell develops methods to continue co-creating, safely and inclusively, providing an important outlet for positive mental health behaviours for staff. The project, which will be displayed in the office when completed, fosters a continued engagement with art and promotes the sustainability of mental wellness and social equity in the workplace.

“Susan brings exciting new perspective to the residency in her approach to sustainability and collaboration” – David Isaac, Chair of Pinsent Mason Art Committee (R2).

2) Nurturing creative culture for a more inclusive society

*Figure 4. Crossan with Brothers in Arms

2.1 Sustained participation and cultural engagement with marginalised groups. With her extensive outreach programmes, Stockwell has empowered many marginalised groups by guiding the artistic progression of the participants, especially those under-represented in artistic spaces . Projects of such extended duration, such as the workshops in Portsmouth, provide life-long skills of making and mending which benefit participants long after completion. Stockwell has influenced participant’s methodology including understanding the importance of collaborative working practice.

“There was a sense of inclusiveness to our sessions despite our wide range of levels and experience” – Michael Crossan, former soldier and artist (S5).

Figure 5. Tweet about Stockwell’s workshops

Crossan is exemplary of the lasting impact of Stockwell’s methodology. Following the Peace Maker project, he has progressed onto leading projects of his own with the homeless and other vulnerable people, using similar practices to Stockwell and encouraging co-creation in art (S6).

2.2 Pushing boundaries and carving spaces for women Her continuing work as a women sculptor who specialises in traditionally feminine mediums such as textiles has earned Stockwell recognition alongside Rachel Whiteread, Maggi Hambling and Louise Bourgeois in the history of women and sculpting in the 2020 book, 50 Women Sculptors (S7a-b). The medium of Stockwell’s sculptures and the subject matter in works like Territory Dress specifically target both the spaces women inhabit and are absent from.