Inside the Brave New Brain Exhibition
Brave New Brain took over House of Annetta in Brick Lane for a week-long celebration of neurodiversity, creativity and community. The programme brought together internationally recognised artists, community members, workshop participants from Headway East London and HMP Pentonville, and a wide public audience in the spirit of radical inclusion, collaboration and creative expression. Alongside collective works, the exhibition featured contributions from:
Lucy McRae, Pierre Bureau, Evelin van Rei, Jason Ferry, Mike Pool, Carlotta Allum, Kazimir Bielecki, Sam Jevon, Paolo Fiorentini, Anita Fontaine, Rose Curran, Chris Kelly, John Costi, Di Mainstone, and Lotje Sodderland.
Events:
Spoken Word Performance
Opening night featured powerful performances by neurodivergent spoken word artists Sami Rimes, David Tovey and John Costi, whose poetry brought humour, vulnerability and lived experience to the exhibition.
Conversation: The Science of Neurodiversity
A conversation between Lotje Sodderland and Dr Dimitrios Paschos explored the science and lived experience of neurodiversity, challenging deficit-based narratives and highlighting neurological difference as an essential form of human diversity.
Book Launch:
Morphology – A Diary of Day Dreams
The exhibition also celebrated the launch of Morphology: A Diary of Day Dreams, a beautifully printed publication exploring visual thinking, abstraction and poetic reflection. The book was co-created with workshop participants and contributing artists, extending the exhibition beyond the gallery space.
Film Screening and Talk
Visitors were invited to a special screening of We Are The Tree, Lotje Sodderland's documentary about Manal Ahmed, a community leader in Brighton whose work supporting neurodivergent families grew from her own experience raising an autistic son.
Following the screening, Manal joined Lotje for an inspiring audience conversation about community, advocacy and belonging.
Workshops
Bethany House Women’s Shelter
An enriching Storytelling Circle workshop led by Lotje at Bethany House. This interactive session invites participants to share personal stories, fostering communication skills and confidence. Dive into creative expression in a supportive and inclusive environment.
House of Annetta
Artist Clare Smith led two public collage workshops exploring neurodiversity through layered imagery, reflection and conversation. Open to everyone, the sessions encouraged participants to experiment creatively and discover new ways of expressing their experiences.
Central Sain Martin’s School of Arts and Design
Join us for an enriching Storytelling Circle workshop led by Lotje at Central Saint Martins. This interactive session invites participants to share personal stories, fostering communication skills and confidence. Dive into creative expression and help shape the direction of the "Brave New Brain" project in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Thank You for Being Part of It
This week was a celebration of how creativity and care can come together to make space for voices too often unheard. A huge thank you to all the contributors, participants, and visitors who helped make Brave New Brain what it is.