Emotional Geographies

My solo show  Emotional Geographies at The Art House, Wakefield was an immersive installation that explored the powerful connection between people, place, and nature.

Inspired by my family roots in Wakefield, the project invited visitors to reflect on how memories and emotions are tied to the spaces and landscapes we inhabit. The project drew inspiration from my grandfather, Peter Hawkin, a Wakefield resident and art teacher in the city, who, in 1959, planted a series of flowering cherry and almond trees along Belgravia Road – a gesture of community care that continues to bloom today.

Drawing on this legacy the space invited consideration to the idea of “Emotional Geography”, how places and landscapes affect our feelings and memories. The exhibition looked at how these connections influence the way we see, experience, and care for nature and our surroundings, helping to shape our sense of belonging and well-being.

The exhibition featured an immersive installation filled with a living woodland. Tree saplings filled the gallery offering a space for calm and contemplation. The space was nurtured by local residents and community groups, who cared for the plants in the sculpture.

This living and growing project hosted a community engagement series bringing together people of all ages to explore themes of nature, happiness, and connection. With great pride to be following in my Grandfather’s footsteps, in early December 2025, the saplings will take root in the grounds of Urban House, an initial accommodation centre for people in the asylum process and will become part of the city’s future green spaces, supporting and contributing to Wakefield’s environmental goals and tree planting targets.