Published 10.09.2021
by Kids’ Own

Introducing our new artist and writer panel!

We are delighted to announce our panel of new artists and writers. These 9 creatives will be working on collaborative book projects with young people and children all across Ireland.

1. Writer Melatu-Uche Okorie
Melatu-Uche was born in Enugu, Nigeria and has been living in Ireland for twelve years. She has an Mphil in creative writing from Trinity College, Dublin. Her work has been published in Dublin: Ten Journeys One Destination, Alms on the Highway (New Writing from the Oscar Wilde Centre), LIT Journal, College Green Magazine. Her debut collection, This Hostel Life, was published in May, 2018. She is currently working on a novel.

2. Artist Sarah Fuller
Sarah is a visual artist and puppeteer and founding member of Dog and String Theatre. She is committed to making work for children’s audiences in many forms and has years of experience working as an artist in schools and health care contexts with people of all ages and abilities. She holds a BA Hons in Textile Design, Central from St. Martins College of Art and Design, London and an MA in Visual Arts Practice from IADT, Dún laoghaire, Dublin. Narrative is the thread that unites all aspects of her work, incorporating, drawing, illustration, puppetry, animation, and storytelling.
Writer Melatu Okorie and Artist Sarah Fuller
3. Artist Francesca Hutchinson
Francesca is an Offaly based multidisciplinary artist, currently studying in Limerick School of Art and Design. Her work continuously varies through a complexity of mediums and materials, currently she is exploring textiles, embroidery, and industrial materials. She takes inspiration from her family’s heritage coming from the Travelling community, her artwork also deals with issues such as depicting an invisible illness and the cycle of life.
4. Writer & Artist Danny Brennan
Danny is a Dublin based collaborative artist working in the areas of film, theatre and text. Danny’s work is deeply collaborative and seeks to explore new social imaginaries. Danny’s film work has appeared in the Cannes Film festival and the Galway Film Fleadh. Danny is a member of the Just City Collective, A4 Sounds Studios and is currently studying an MA in Creative Writing at the University of Limerick.
5. Artist Julie Forrester
Julie has worked as an Associate Artist with us for many years, working on projects such as Multimedia maps, Trading Places and Virtually There. Her practice involves a positing of creative encounter and the documenting of this experience. She works with people and often with young people in school and community settings.
6. Artist Sarah Ellen Lundy
Sarah Ellen is an experimental visual artist from Sligo. Her studio practice and pedagogical work both revolve around nature, incorporating flora and fauna into making art & workshop facilitation. She has trained in horticulture at The Organic Centre and holds a certificate in Irish Wildflower I.D. from Sligo I.T. Her work seeks to inspire empathy and interest in the environment through creative engagement.
Julie Forrester and Sarah Ellen Lundy
7. Writer Juliette Saumande
Juliette is a writer and translator of children’s books with over 40 titles to her name published in her native French and in English. Her most recent books include My Little Album of Dublin and My Little Album of Ireland (both illustrated by Tarsila Krüse, published by The O’Brien Press). Juliette is a professional bookworm who loves using words, stories and books to help kids (re)discover and grow their creativity. She likes nothing more than taking kids (and their grownups) by surprise, embarking them on storymaking adventures, poetry treasure hunts, ninja writer training sessions or space dancing!
8. Artist Alex MacNaughton
Lexie initially trained as a textile designer but discovered her passion for illustration after graduating and has developed her own unique style. Lexie is very passionate about the environment. She is from the UK but is currently working in the beautiful Irish countryside with her rescue dog Lucie by her side. Animals are her main inspiration, and she loves to imagine that every animal has its own personality and story to tell.
When Lexie is not illustrating, she is busy with all sorts of other craft projects including knitting, jewellery making, and sewing.
9. Artist & writer Helen Flanagan
Helen is a writer and artist with a collaborative social practice that involves creating social spaces. These spaces often act as forums for the exchange of stories, conversations and experiences. Her practice emphasises the cathartic power of play and playful exchange, and employs collaborative writing, theatre and games, as well as film and radio production. Helen works with children and young people and facilitates creative storytelling and collaborative filmmaking workshops, often in educational settings.
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