Episode 073 - Jola Olafimihan, Creative in Northumberland National Park

We are so exited to bring you a special mini series of podcast episodes created in collaboration with identity on tyne and their Black Nature in Residence Programme. 

Created and project coordinated by your host Dr Sheree Mack, the Black Nature in Residence Programmed (BNIR) aims to offer creative opportunities within nature for the global majority.  Started in 2019, the Black Nature in Residence Programme not only offers time and space in nature for creatives, focusing on the creative process and practices rather than putting the pressure on to produce produce and produce. The process is the focus rather than the outputs and outcomes. identity on tyne believes that when you give creatives the time and space to {BE},  something magical happens in the way they see themselves and their practice. The creatives have permission to play, experiment and create on their own terms. And nature is the guide in this process.

In this episode Sheree talks to Jola Olafimihan about her residency in the North York Moors. They talk about:

* Where Jola is situated

* Who she be?

* What progression has there been from BNIR to BNIA 2:0?

* Nigerian indigo dying technique Adire

* Having two homes and combining them within this residency

* Walking groups both white and global majority 

* Disconnection from nature and the consequencs

* Healing with nature 

* Black-led creative projects

* Solastalgia

* Racism and harm and self-care practices 

 

Bio: Jola Olafimihan writes as a way of understanding all that is around her. She writes as a form of mindful practise and a way to focus her mind. She’s an industrious individual with a conscientious and positive attitude towards her work, creating, and exploration of new
themes. She’s a resilient and a forward-thinking creative, who likes developing her skill set. She’s an independent thinker who takes the initiative, self-driven to achieve success
on independent projects such as being writer in residence for Durham Wildlife Trust (2020- 22), where she developed original pieces of writings and artworks.