Understanding HIV Stigma (2024)

Interdisciplinary project exploring the intersection of creative computing and art practices within communities, co-designed with Red Ribbon Living Well, peer support group for people living with HIV.

The project aims to address HIV stigma through creative engagement, drawing on deeply personal experiences shared by members of the community, while creating a safe space for visibility and connection. Developed in collaboration with Red Ribbon Living Well, a peer support group for people living with HIV, the work stems from a participatory process that respects the voices and agency of its contributors.

The artwork was developed from a dataset co-created with the group, comprising anonymised audio recordings, written stories, visual representations, and metaphors.

Through a series of meetings, the group shared their thoughts on stigma, often conveyed through objects and metaphoric landscapes, which informed the creation of interactive outcomes. The creative outcome was shaped into a mix of digital and analogue interactive displays, including an audio-visual map and a board game featuring quotes from the dataset.

These outputs, designed with input from participants, encourage people to listen to and navigate personal narratives in meaningful ways, fostering connection and shared understanding. By prioritising an inclusive and equitable methodology, the project avoids traditional hierarchical divides, instead embracing a collaborative process inspired by principles of "slow science" and interconnected knowledge-making.

The project was part of the exhibition This is Why the Whole Remain Open [...] at St James Hatcham in August 2024 and continues to explore the role of computation and graphic storytelling in supporting community voices and promoting dialogue around complex social issues.