On Art, Neurodivesity & Giant Octopussies: Reflections on #MagicCarpet

All this is just the beginning. Further strands include: The possibilities of ‘neurodiverse art’ could be further unpacked. #MagicCarpet participants defined this as ‘looking at the world in different ways’, which is ‘healthy’ — and ‘makes the rest of us re-examine ours’, ‘with the added element of surprise – that which is 'not typical’ (Tan, 2018c). How does that relates to terms other practitioners have created such as ‘neuroaesthetics’ (Griffiths & Sinclair, 2017), ‘dyslexic aesthetics’ (Dyspla, 2018), ‘neurotransgression’ and ‘dyspractice’ (Oliver, 2019)?

Philip and I are keen to work on an illustrated publication, which communicates recent findings of mind wandering in relation to depression and PTSD. I began research on electroencephalogram (EEG) through a 4-month artist-in-residency at the NTU Centre for Contemporary Art, with colleagues in Singapore. With another colleague at Birkbeck, University of London, we ran workshops for activists of ‘mad pride’, researchers and clinicians to cocreate ways to improve clinical practice.

For effective culture change, (higher) education is key. I want neurodiversity to inform what and how I teach. This includes my new role at the Manchester School of Art, the UK’s first comprehensive art school set up in 1838, as a Senior Lecturer. I am leading a new MA/MFA programme in arts leadership. Back at King’s, Philip has designed a new PhD programme on the dissemination and public understanding of science of ADHD and mental health through creative practice, to stimulate critical discourse, and to translate scientific findings into societal changes. This unique degree extends art-science awards such as Queen Mary’s MSc in Creative Arts and Mental Health With another colleague, we are scheming a joint art-science professional degree, perhaps an MASc in neurodiversity.

Image: ROAM! ROAM! ROAM! (Portals and Potterings). page 27 From BADGE-WEARING MIND WANDERER IN ACTION (M.I.A) series (2017).

C-Type gloss, 596X347mm, mounted on 3mm Forex. Photographer: Enamul Hoque