Joya: AiR / Maraid McEwan / GBR

"I travelled to Joya: AiR to focus on a project around the theme of Eco Anxiety. I had planned to create a group of objects that translated emotions through tactile dialogues and aid the expression of existential ecological anxiety. Upon arrival I was struck by the incredibly beautiful and diverse landscape, situated in a carbon neutral setting that seemed to thrive within its environment, resulting in admiration and awe, feeling quite the opposite of anxiety and doom.

I explored a new direction to understand the parallels in feelings between Joya and the urban spaces of home, and what was needed to convey these intersecting emotions. By incorporating found objects from meandering walks through the branco together with my laser cut designs, I began to explore how these feelings of anxiety could live alongside eco awakenings.

This all led to the creation of a set of almost alien, dark and intriguing ceramic objects, drawing you in whilst making you question their purpose and asking how they might speak and interact with each other. I tried to take off my designer hat and relinquish control to the confusing feelings; writing and culminating in an essay I called “The necessity of the strange”. The strange is the fascinating, the weird, the thing that pulls you in. Creating a dream like reality of strangeness through my objects may radically represent the emotions I have been trying to emanate, with the unperfect reflecting just how confusing eco anxiety can be.

I am so grateful to Joya: AiR for such an enlightening time not only with the project, but with the minds around me, and to Donna and Simon for creating such a special place. Thank you."

Maraid McEwan

Maraid is a researcher, designer and artist utilising interactions and installation as tools for social change. Her work focuses on the reconceptualisation of emotions, in both areas of personal escapes and community. Currently she works as a freelance designer and researcher at the Victoria and Albert Museum and is pursuing her own experimental design practice and research. Last year she held the position of Designer in Residence at the Victoria and Albert museum 2022, exhibiting a solo show at the museum in July: “Embodied Mindful Sounds”. She has an MA and MSc from the Royal College of Art in Global Innovation Design, and a BA in Textile Design from the University of Leeds. She has held solo shows of her work in illustration in London, and displayed my work collaboratively at multiple institutions.

Simon Beckmann30 July 2023