We are delighted to introduce Cúan, a freelance writer and illustrator from Waterford, who recently joined us on the collaborative book-making project with Respond Housing. This exciting initiative, in collaboration with Respond, Ireland’s leading housing association, aims to engage local children and young people in exploring themes of identity, home, and belonging through the arts.

This was Cúan’s first time working on a Kids’ Own project, and working on this project provided Cúan with an opportunity to observe and be part of a Kids’ Own project. Their time on the project was funded by the Arts Council, through our artist development initiatives.

Cúan’s work is driven by a deep passion for empowering young people and exploring the intersection between drawing and writing. Below, Cúan shares more about their background, creative approach, and experiences working with us:

“I am a freelance writer and illustrator from Waterford. I graduated with a BA in design from NCAD in 2017, and I am a member of the Trans Writers Union, Pride of the Déise, and Alien Nation. My praxis explores the intersection between drawing and writing. I draw with words as well as images, exploring themes of joy, community solidarity, self-acceptance, and resistance.

I am interested in empowering young people and encouraging them to develop agency over their expression. This is what attracted me to Kids Own. I liked how they facilitate less prescriptive forms of play and storytelling that encourage Individual and collective expression of ideas.

Recently I assisted in facilitating workshops at Ard an Ghleanna Community Centre. During the workshops, I was impressed with the young people’s capacity for creation. When given time and materials, they created unique games, sculptures, and stories. It’s really rewarding to be involved in facilitating such informal artistic play.

I was fascinated by how the young people described their work. The meaning of the work would shift and change throughout the day, as they explored new perspectives. A sign would become a bag and a house would become a temple as the day progressed.

Working with Kids Own was an incredibly rewarding experience and I look forward to future opportunities with them.”

We appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with Cúan on this project and we look forward to future collaborations.

This project is funded by the Arts Council Project Award, through the project lead, Respond. Read more about the project here: https://kidsown.ie/kids-own-and-respond-to-launch-creative-book-project-in-waterford/