The Tetley Workshop – The Other Senses

In this workshop we explored without our sight, and created stories and drawings based on what we smelt, felt or heard.

There was a selection of smells, which included – fresh ginger, coffee, hops, star anise, lemon grass, vanilla, fresh cinnamon and coconut; selection of hidden objects in canvas bags, which included – fluffy, soft, hard, prickly, squigdy, warm, cold, smooth and rough; and sound effects playing in the room, which included – cities, seaside, farms, animal safari, rain and thunder, forest and nature, restaurant chatter, airports and countryside.

The participants first closed their eyes and smelt the aromas, felt the objects and listened to the soundtracks. Then inspired by this, they drew a picture or created a story. It was great to see the participants, of all ages taking part and finding stories which provoked memories and conversation. Baking was a popular one, with some children requesting they make cakes when they get home.

This is a selection of photos from this workshop.

Smelling the different aromas.

Drawing inspired by the smells, that reminded the child of home.

Discovering the hidden textures in the canvas bags.

Inspired by one of the objects in the canvas bags, this reminded the child of a star fish he found in a rock pool he visited last year.

Drawing inspired by touch, aromas and the sounds.

A variety of drawings inspired by the sounds, smells and textures.

I was inspired by the sounds of the sea. A child helped me by suggesting and then drawing what she thinks about when she hears the seaside.

The workshop welcomed young adults.

Discussing what had inspired them and what they were drawing.

This was inspired by the sound of nature.

Clockwise from top left:
1. The sound of airplanes taking off.
2. A treasure map.
3. The sound of chatter and conversation, each colour represents a different voice.
4. The sound of airplanes.
5. The sound of cows – these are ‘blue moos’.

Photos by Mat Dale