Alison Lewis Sweidan on her practice, being curious and the mental health benefits of hanging out with her golden retriever
How did you come to do what you do?
Via a long and winding road! I have had a few different jobs and also long periods of not doing paid work, whilst busy moving countries and raising my two lovely boys (who are now young men). I’ve lived in seven countries and had three attempts at learning a foreign language as an adult. I am currently in a happy place, literally and metaphorically, but there have been some serious challenges along the way, all of which have given me a deeper understanding of people and the ways we get along or don’t get along.
I am an artist and in my creative practice I work with a variety of media, with the aim of producing thought provoking work with a light touch and a sense of humour. I often look at my place in the world, exploring themes of image and perception and connections to places and the past. I’m also a frequent and prolific doodler.
I recently completed a Masters Degree in Inclusive Arts Practice. My lifelong love of art, combined with the personal experience of having a neurodivergent family member led me to choose this rather specific field of art practice. On the degree course we looked at different ways of working with groups who may find it difficult to access typical art programmes (eg. people with learning difficulties, adults with physical disabilities, people in prison, refugee groups); working together from a position of artistic collaboration, rather than a hierarchy like that of teacher-student.
What inspires you?
Sometimes I’m not inspired at all and will take out materials with the intention of just ‘making something’. I am working on trying to reduce the pressure of the blank page and the feeling that I have to produce ’something good’. Sometimes I have a fully formed concept and an idea of how to resolve it, and other times I have to push through the fear of being judged and just start making marks or playing with materials. Sometimes I will have an idea when walking, or when discussing art with other people, or after seeing an exhibition. I usually have several ideas in notes on my phone and it’s a matter of convincing myself to just get on with it.
What things have you learned along the way?
Life experience - I feel that the times I have moved to different countries have given me a greater understanding of different cultures. It has also given me a lot of experience of feeling like a fish out of water. I was the new girl at school a few times in my childhood, and have had a similar experience many times as an adult. Forming new friendship groups and knowing that you might leave them again can lead to a feeling of never really belonging anywhere. I have lived in England for almost ten years now and recently became a British citizen. It was an unexpectedly moving event and I feel I have really put in the effort to treat this as my home.
Academically- I feel that the MA, on top of a BA in Fine Art have allowed me to place what I do in the context of contemporary art. I work with a lot of different media and have done performance and interactive work, alongside painting drawing and sculpture. This means it’s difficult when people ask what kind of art I make. It is certainly not unique though and I am comfortable now saying that I do a variety of ‘stuff’. As part of my MA I conducted a research project, during which I created and facilitated a series of art workshops with young autistic people. I implemented strategies to minimise sensory overload, reduce the pressure, and increase communication. I allowed time and space for the young people to be creative and share their ideas with me and each other. The way I most like to work- experimentally but within some guidelines, without too much focus on the output over the process and with a sense of spontaneity and fun, also worked for the young people. Some who I was told had not ‘joined in’ with anything before participated willingly and contributed to a really successful project.
I have learnt that patience and being kind and non-judgemental, with others and with myself, creates the atmosphere most likely to lead to actually being creative.
How do you help yourself when you’re not feeling great?
It depends on, in which way I’m not feeling great! The best way, even when I don’t know what it is I need, is to walk my dog. Getting outside whatever the weather usually makes me feel better physically and when I know that my dog is happy, that makes me happier. Sometimes I feel like I need to recharge by seeing people, so I’ll go and sit quietly in my local coffee shop (usually with my dog). Sometimes what I really need is to what I call ‘go potato mode’, which involves sitting and doing very little/nothing and not judging myself for not ‘doing something’!
Sometimes I do just have to push through with my art. I don’t have a studio space and often I just don’t feel like I want to make a mess and then have to clean it all up! Sometimes I still feel that pressure to ‘make something good’. Whenever I push through that and just allow myself to make something/ anything, the process usually makes me feel better and sometimes the outcome is very satisfying too! I realised several years ago that my need to be creative is always there and I have to recognise it and allow myself to make something, even if it’s just for me.
What is it about your personality that brings that little something special?
I am a playful person and I think I have a good sense of humour. I am able to think on my feet and quickly adapt to different situations and other ways of doing things. If I’m working collaboratively and something and it isn’t going well, I am able to redirect, and/or leave space for someone else to step up and lead the way. I am genuinely curious about other people and the way they think.
