Creativity as a process for change
Bronagh uses her creative talent to help bring about change through social justice dialogue and workshops to shift the dial on public policy that will replace or change systems and structures that create oppression.
She studied Foundation in Fine Art under Neil Shawcross at Belfast Art College, Fine Art and Psychology at Liverpool Hope University and studied for her Masters in Transaction Analysis (Psychotherapy) at Leeds Beckett University, gaining her Diploma in Psychotherapy.
She has embedded a culture of care through creativity in her work as a community organiser and has continued her professional development in 'trauma informed' project managment for decolonial change. Her design led approach to project management and leadership has been evident in her work with ITV/BBC and Screen Yorkshire on the Foundation Placement Scheme and also in advisor to CEOs of Arts Organisations in Yorkshire as Business Development Manager on the Arts Council England funded 'Here to Thrive' scheme.
As a Fine Art printmaker, Bronagh has been involved in the international print exchange 20:20 for the past three years through her membership of the Leeds Print Workshop. Using creative pedagogies for decolonial change has afforded Bronagh her admission as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Printmaking
Bronagh's work explores themes of inclusion, care for creation and eschatology (end of times). Her work often reflects on the role of diaspora communities in urban settings to build resilient and harmonious communities. Bronagh's inspiration lies in her home land and the mythological stories of ancient Ireland, which appears as a recurring theme of nature metaphores of toponyms (land based place names) rivers, seeds and shapeshifting zoosemiotics (cultural animal symbols).
Her prints have been exhibited and also used as a backdrop for retreats and workshops with clergy on some of the hardest to talk about social injustices, like climate racism and poverty.
Creative Production
Bronagh has worked with theatre and interactive arts organisations to stage immersive 'Live Art' productions in unsual venues inclusding churches, libraries and shopping centres. Working with partners in Lagos, PawPaw Studios she co-produced 'Esther's Revenge' at the Leeds Minster.
Her work as creative director for the Art Theology festival saw exhibitions, workshops and talks hosted at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and Leeds Art Gallery as well as community based 'Creativity Catalyst' in local church spaces.
Creative Writing
Bronagh uses poetry and creative writing in her screen printing and workshops. She hosts 'Ekphrastic Workshops' for change makers using the process of writing poetry to help people take a longer look at a piece of art. Her poetry has been included in 'The Holdings' anthology and short story published in 'From the Cauldron' anthology. Bronagh has toured the 'Chair of Sanctuary' a collaborative textile screen print project with local poet Rachel Flint through the 'Writing on Air' festival. Bronagh is passionate about supporting young people in the expression of their radical imagination and has recently launched the Leeds Children's Creative Writing Awards in partnership with the Grammar School at Leeds.
