Reframing & Reconnecting: An exploratory Sequential Design Study with Convergent Elements

REFRAMING VI is a co-designed participatory installation created in collaboration with people living with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) from Brain Injury Matters, NI. Developed as part of a practice-based PhD, the project explores whether museum craft collections and collaborative making can support creative health, identity reconstruction and social connection following ABI. Inspired by objects in THE ART OF THE POSSIBLE exhibition at the Ulster Museum and the organic sculptural forms of Joseph Walsh, the installation emerged through a series of facilitated creative workshops. Participants used an accessible origami process to create individually folded paper ‘brains’ that collectively form a large-scale installation. The repetitive nature of folding provided cognitive structure while enabling creativity, reflection and participant agency. The installation's flowing composition represents the non-linear experience of life after ABI, reflecting adaptation, resilience and evolving relationships. Each individual contribution is valued equally, with meaning emerging through collective participation and shared authorship. As both an artistic outcome and research artefact, Reframing VI explores the potential of co-designed, arts-based practice to promote wellbeing, belonging and inclusive cultural participation. Previously exhibited at Pennsylvania State University and Trinity College Dublin, this iteration was created for the Mental Health Arts NI BELONGING 2026 Festival, contributing to growing evidence for participatory creative health approaches within museum and community contexts.