‘All That Holds Us’ is an evocative installation artwork that explores the hidden connections between individuals and their shared environments. The piece is intended to transcend the noise of daily life, tapping into the underlying intuition and knowledge that constructs meaningful connections. It captures fleeting moments of understanding, represented by the exchange of smiles between strangers and the unknown ripple effects of their interactions. The installation comprises several "threads" of interconnected sculptures that wind through a wooded landscape, leading toward a central "pod." This central piece houses numerous tiny "beings" whose stories resonate with viewers throughout their journey. At a glance, these "threads" resemble flora or fungi, but upon closer inspection, they reveal their true nature—delicate felted faces embedded in ceramic, each telling its own story while interconnected with the landscape and one another. Louise McVey's signature ceramic elements, featuring glimpses of words and faces, guide viewers through the installation, enabling them to discover connections and interplay among the individual components. The central "pod," invites viewers to peer inside, revealing a cluster of hundreds of small, intricately sculpted faces that embody a sense of community and togetherness. Inspired by the organic shapes of nests and cocoons, the "pod" serves as a sanctuary of safety and communion. The artwork is designed to evolve within the landscape, adapting to the changing seasons, with all ceramic pieces crafted by Louise McVey and textile elements created by Johanna Flanagan, embodying a collaborative spirit. ‘All That Holds Us’ ultimately invites reflection on the profound yet often unnoticed relationships that bind us all.

Johanna Flanagan is a textile sculptor specialising in dolls and mask making. Her work explores themes of inner emotional landscapes, the longing to return to the natural world, and the desire to connect with the unseen and ephemeral. Johanna’s doll work invites stillness and reflection, and acts as an initial point of focus for individual and collective narratives to grow around.

Louise McVey is a Ceramicist seeking meaningful engagement with her community through large scale public works and street art. Much of her small scale work is embedded in the cracks and unseen parts of urban or natural spaces, fostering curiosity and sparking playful interaction with the environment. Small sculpture and text invite her audience to find connections and uncover stories.