Where does heartbreak live in the body? Join artists Jill Mueller and Julie Light for a playful, reflective art workshop exploring heartbreak through colour, shape, texture and the body.

About this event

This workshop invites you to explore heartbreak not just as an abstract idea, but as something that can be felt physically and imagined visually.

We’ll start with a short introduction to Dr Sally Holloway’s After Love research project, exploring what historians and researchers have discovered about the experience and expression of heartbreak over time.

We’ll then experiment together with colour, texture, shape and mark, creating a shared visual “legend” for feelings and sensations associated with heartbreak —from longing and desire to grief, shame and anger.

Using this as a starting point, you’ll be invited to create your own A2 body map, combining paint, drawing and collage to explore where and how these feelings might inhabit the body.

You don’t need to be able to draw or have any previous art experience. The emphasis is on exploration rather than artistic skill.

You can work from your own experiences, from literature, stories or historic ideas about heartbreak, or simply from your own imagination. There is no expectation to disclose anything personal, and you can share as much or as little as you wish.

Come and discover what heartbreak can look like through the lens of creativity.

Practical details

Duration: 2 hours

Places: limited to 15 participants

All materials provided — no experience necessary

Some group sharing is involved, but participation is always your choice

Dates: October 9, 3–5pm OR October 10, 11am–1pm

Location: OVADA Warehouse

Tickets on a sliding scale: £3/5/5 book via our website

Suitable for ages 18+

Accessibility
Please note that this workshop will take place in our Education Room, which is up a flight of stairs.

Due to the age of our building, unfortunately our toilets are not fully accessible. However, there is an accessible toilet available approximately 3mins walk from us at Courtyard Marriot Hotel.

Although we have a range of ticket pricing, please get in touch with us at [email protected] if pricing is a barrier to you attending the workshop.

This project is made possible by support from a Research, Development and Engagement Fellowship from the Arts & Humanities Research Council

£3 – £8