How creativity expresses and enhances spirituality across the world.
Our annual conference in 2023
Friday May 12th to Sunday May 14th
At Woodbrooke and online
SOME AFTERTHOUGHTS
We are delighted that the conference went so well. We had 47 people at Woodbrooke and 20 online. We had a wide range of inputs, especially in the areas of the visual arts and poetry; but we also managed to include music, architecture, dance and ritual!
In due course we plan to produce a pamphlet of the talks and we intend to add the recordings of the talks to this website. (Final two audio recordings added unedited March 2024 – we are sorry for the delay! Due to the nature of the workshop, there is no recording of David Brown’s demonstration)
AUGUST UPDATE – the pamphlet is with the printers and we have put on two audio files on the website so far.
CONFERENCE DETAILS
TITLE – Universalist Creativity – how creativity expresses and enhances spirituality across the world.
LIST OF SPEAKERS:
Helen Otter – An Introduction to Creativity and Spirituality: An Artist’s View
Philip Gross – What’s Living in the Space Between Us — Poetry, Collaboration, Listening
Jaana Erkkilä – Creativity and Nature in the Nordic Tradition
Roger Hill – Daoism and Creativity
David Brown – Despacho (prayer bundle) in the context of Shamanism
Charles Monkhouse – The Spirituality of Colour
COSTS:
Costs for the weekend were £250 at Woodbrooke; There were a few rooms available for two people sharing and this cost £425. To join us online (for any part of the conference) the cost was £40.
All were welcome. You did not need to be a Quaker or a member of the Quaker Universalist Group to attend.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE SPEAKERS:
Helen Otter – An Introduction to Creativity and Spirituality: An Artist’s View
Helen Otter is an artist who has exhibited in East Anglia, Gloucestershire and London, working both independently and in collaboration with other artists. With a Masters degree in Fine Art she has worked in a variety of media including paint, pencil, textiles, found objects, sound and video, producing installations and objects that reference site and context.
Audio recording of Helen’s talk with introduction to Helen and the Conference by Peter Varney. (mp3, 56Mb, 59 minutes)
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Philip Gross – What’s Living in the Space Between Us — Poetry, Collaboration, Listening
Philip Gross is a poet who has also written novels, libretti and radio scripts, for adults and young people. Working frequently with visual artists, dancers and musicians, he sees collaboration as the spirit at the heart of all creative life, and maybe too of spirituality. He lives in South Wales and draws on a heritage from Estonia and Cornwall.
Audio recording of Philip’s talk (introduced by Daniel Flynn): What’s Living in the Space Between Us — Poetry, Collaboration, Listening: (32Mb, 34 mins)
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Jaana Erkkilä – Creativity and Nature in the Nordic Tradition
Jaana Erkkilä-Hill is the Vice-Rector for Research at the University of the Arts, Helsinki, and a Professor in Fine Art at the University of Lapland. She is active as an artist and her work is held in several public and private collections. She has attended Quaker meetings since her childhood and is a member of the North Finland Quaker Worship Group. She lives in Finland and in the UK.
(Audio recording – see under Roger below).
Roger Hill – Daoism and Creativity
Roger’s interest in Daoism grew alongside his study of Traditional Chinese Medicine: the philosophy and the practice are inextricably linked. He was fortunate to be able to develop this learning with the distinguished Sinologist Father Claude Larre SJ. Until his retirement Roger was co-Director of the Centre for Complementary Health Studies at the University of Exeter. He is a Member of Totnes Quaker Meeting and the North Finland Quaker Worship Group.
Audio recording of Jaana and Roger’s talks. ((73Mb, 76 mins – starts after 1 min with intro by John Elford)
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David Brown – Despacho (prayer bundle) in the context of Shamanism
David Brown is a member of Bournemouth Coastal Area Meeting and is the co-clerk and administrator of the Kindlers, and author of the Kindler book, ‘What does Love require of Us?’ He has a degree in psychology, and diplomas in counselling and spiritual coaching. He has used shamanic techniques in both Kindler workshops and spiritual coaching.
Charles Monkhouse – The Spirituality of Colour
Charles Monkhouse is an artist working in rural and public spaces to create permanent sculptures and temporary light works, often with the support of local communities and landscape stakeholders. His interest in colour stems from his work on LED installations, a career lecturing in colleges and universities, and a life of gallery visits and overseas travel.
Audio recording of Charles’ talk: (62Mb, 65 mins – introduced by Shona Lowe). (There is a slight delay of about 1 minute after Charles begins until he really gets going at about 3.40 – but do listen to the intro and beginning!)