Reflections on REFRACTION and creative thinking

As the REFRACTION exhibition draws to a close at Studio 10 in East Quay, it feels less like an ending and more like the moment when a crystal reaches a new stage of growth. Over the past weeks, our collaboration with the resident East Quay Artists has shown us that curiosity is not confined to studios or laboratories. Curiosity thrives wherever people are willing to look closely and think differently.

One of the highlights of the project was the team visit into the exhibition. Walking through the gallery together, we discussed the artworks with Director and geologist Andy King who had worked closely with the artists. The conversation moved easily between mineral structures, artistic process and the stories behind each piece.

The creative thinking workshop led by Alison Jacobs built directly on the shared experience. The afternoon began with a deceptively simple exercise: drawing crystals with charcoal. First, a scientific still life – careful, precise, observational. Then a second drawing, more intuitive and expressive, exploring how the object felt. Comparing the two revealed something powerful: accuracy and imagination are not opposites, but partners and the team were surprised by their creations. As the workshop materials emphasised, creative thinking is about making connections and generating ideas by shifting perspective.

We explored examples of scientific breakthroughs driven by creativity – from the discovery of DNA’s structure to early observations of the moon – demonstrating that innovation often begins with curiosity and visual thinking.

So, is this the end of the crystal story? We hope not.

In fact, the creative flow continues. During the exhibition, a new element began to take shape – Alispangalite, a playful, imaginary crystal formed through experimentation, collaboration and a willingness to follow an idea wherever it leads. It will make its first public appearance at the Hatch Fashion Show, with two performances: one at the Hatch Barn on Sunday, and another at East Quay on 10 April at 7:30pm. Find out how you can visit the performances at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/hatch/the-after-party-hatch-fashion-show/e-yzgame AND https://www.eastquaywatchet.co.uk/events/world-to-come-festival-hatch-fashion-show

If there is a single takeaway from this refractive exercise, it is this: ideas are precious seeds. Given time, attention and the right conditions, they travel, evolve and eventually crystallise into something entirely new.

Finally a huge thank you to everyone who participated in the exhibition to Andy and Kate for their writing and Millie Laing Tate for her wonderful curation @suelowe.printmaker @georgina_towler @alispangle @zoe.snape.artist @vanillaclegg @amandajshears_art @laingtateart @melaniedeegan