Arts, Health and Our Communities: Interactive Exhibition

The interactive exhibition invites visitors to explore powerful artwork inspired by real stories shared through University of Hertfordshire research. Large-scale pieces will be displayed throughout the space, highlighting experiences, reflections and hopes for change in a thoughtful and accessible way. Visitors will be encouraged to spend time with the artwork and share their own responses — what it makes them feel, what it makes them think about, and what they believe needs to change. The exhibition aims to create space for reflection, conversation and collective action, showing how creativity can help bring important stories to life.

The interactive exhibition uses powerful artwork to share stories and ideas from University of Hertfordshire research in a thoughtful, accessible way. Created by an artist working closely with researchers, the pieces respond to sensitive experiences around women’s health, safety, motherhood, family separation and harmful practices, including female genital mutilation. Rather than presenting these issues in a formal or clinical way, the exhibition uses creativity to help visitors reflect on what people need to feel safe, supported and heard.

Large-scale artworks will be displayed throughout the space, bringing together personal stories, calls for change and questions about care, community and justice. Visitors will be invited to spend time with the pieces and share their own responses — what the artwork makes them feel, what it makes them think about, and what they believe needs to change. There may also be opportunities to take simple actions, such as supporting a campaign or contacting a local representative.

The exhibition is designed to create space for reflection, conversation and collective action, showing how art can help bring difficult stories into public view with care, dignity and purpose.

Laura Abbott, Professor of Maternal Health and Criminal Justice, University of Hertfordshire
Saadye Ali, Senior Lecturer, Department of  Nursing, Health and Wellbeing, University of Hertfordshire

All, but viewer discretion / parental supervision advised 

Anyone interested in powerful stories, local voices, health, safety, community and how creativity can help spark reflection, conversation and positive change.

Drop-in activity as part of the wider 'Arts, Health and Our Communities' event