Chora is a collaborative enquiry between Sara Barker and Rosie Morris situated within embodied feminist spatial practices, new materialism, and relational methodologies that prioritise connection. Specifically, it explores how immersive installations and intimate objects can act as membranes of a ruined body, archiving and transmitting tacit, and complex knowledges of care.

The first iteration of the project is a new collaborative public installation for 36 Gallery, Newcastle (Feb–Mar 2026), serving simultaneously as an artistic output and convening live encounters through public exhibition, focus groups and workshops.

We draw on feminist spatial theory (Kristeva’s ‘Chora’, Irigaray, Grosz), ecofeminist conceptions of material intra-action and polyphony (Barad, Wall Kimmerer, Bakhtin, Ozeki), and contemporary research into felt knowledge (Springgay; Brand; Pallasmaa, Gale & Larkin) to create architecture as a hosting environment. We also test ethical, accessible, consent-based methods of co-encounter and potential co-creation – exchange that informs the development of toolkits and methodological frameworks for sustainable, inclusive artistic practices.

Alongside art audience publics, we will host 3 visits and 2 engagement workshops with invites groups as a testing ground to inform future co-authorship and dialogues with:

- Year 2 primary children (Hotspur Primary School), both visiting the exhibition with a workshop & a school den building workshop.

- Equal Arts Thursday Hatton Gallery Group, who will invite older people, people living with dementia and their carers to visit and take part in an informal focus group.

- Interdisciplinary academics (arts, social science, anthropology and archaeology) from GSA, Newcastle University, Northumbria University and Edinburgh University, who will take part in a focus group visit and workshop, initiating a sustained interdisciplinary network between Glasgow and Newcastle.

These activities aim to identify overlaps in research and to support a future AHRC Curiosity or Catalyst application.

• https://anne.art/event/sara-barker-rosie...
• https://www.rosiemorris.co.uk