Last year we worked with 18 brilliant disabled creatives on our Young Artist Development Programme (YADP). Their work is featured in a new zine called “Department for Wonder and Play”, more about this here. In addition to the digital and physical publication, we’re going to spotlight each artist on the blog so you can get a deeper insight into their work and process. Over to our Solidarity Coordinator Katie, who chatted to Sam about his work.

Sam started making artwork when he was little – it was his first hobby! Sam started out with drawing, but over the years he’s tried out lots of different artistic styles and mediums.

Sam says:

Art is a great way to express things that I can’t put into words. I also love the process of experimenting with different styles, mediums, and what I’m actually making. My synaesthesia-based work is a way of showing what my synaesthesia looks like as I experience it. It’s interesting to see how people react to knowing that these pieces are how I experience the world.

When Sam talks about synaesthesia, he’s talking about a kind of neurodivergence where people’s senses cross over – so they might be able to taste different colours, or smell different sounds. Sam’s project is a reflection of what he visualises when he listens to a particular song – Won’t Stop Running by A Great Big World.

Sam says:

My project is based on a song that I find shows hope in tough times, and is about keeping your sense of fun despite everything. The official music video of this song features multiple people who have been through adversity, dancing and enjoying themselves to the song. I want to highlight songs that give encouragement and show people how I experience music.

I really enjoyed making it. It’s always satisfying to put my synaesthesia into a form others can see, and I find the process of making art is something that’s always been quite calming to me.

Thanks so much Sam for sharing more about your work. Sam is currently in the process of painting some walking sticks, something he’s recently discovered a love for. His plan is to sell some – if you’d like to follow that journey, he’s @the_finch_nest_sticks on Instagram.