In the Studio with Tracey Meek
Back in May, we had the privilege of visiting the talented Tracey Meek at her artist studio in Wirksworth. Tracey has a bright and colourful space on the ground floor of the amazing building that was actually the world’s first coal powered mill. Haarlem Artspace is a not for profit organisation championing rural contemporary art through online exhibitions, residencies, publications, symposia, talks and events. Its a beautiful setting for Tracey to unleash her brilliant imagination, and that is exactly what she did for us.
Since first meeting Tracey Meek, back in around 2010, I’ve been drawn to her art, which has such a unique and imaginative quality. So of course, it came as no surprise that we were totally delighted with the work Tracey has created for us to use in our Grounding workbook.
Tracey was commissioned to create a piece based on her interpretation of the ‘Theory of Stress and Coping, by Richard Lazarus and Susan Folkman (1984). The theory looks at methods of coping, including emotion focused and problem focused methods.
Tracey was asked to explore her own coping mechanisms and opted to do this through sensory exploration, resulting a beautiful range of grounding totems. The totems are beautiful to behold and made to be held. The tactile surfaces, ridges, bumps and different textures fit perfectly into the palm of the hand and invite curious fingers to explore their edges.
Tracey also developed her ideas around the sensory nature of her grounding totems, adding in tiny ceramic beads that rattle when shaken, adding an auditory element to the works. She then took this even further and added a practical and portable element, by creating the Lazarus Necklace!
A grounding totem you can wear anywhere, as an emblem of your own personal sanctuary. Hold, fiddle, rattle, remember to breathe and relax.
Tracey’s sensitive interpretation of this important Social Theory will be incorporated into our Grounding Workbook, allowing you to explore your own methods of coping and create your own grounding totem, as well as plenty of other arts and wellbeing activities to boost your self care routine.
Tracey is about to launch a series of workshops where you can spend some time with Tracey in a relaxed setting, playing around with clay and making your own totems, with Tracey on hand to guide you.
Follow Tracey’s socials to find out about the workshops and the other magical things she’s up to, and don’t forget to sign up to our mailing list to be the first to receive our workbooks when they are ready.
Peace and paintbrushes
Thortify
