Shona Inatimi was a Creative Practitioner for ‘CULTIVATE’ 2023 (with Creative Dundee) where she led a socially engaged project that explored identity and climate justice through art making, conversation and portraiture. Creating an intimate space to invite women from marginalised groups to share their story, connect and build trust.

Thinking about how to create a compassionate environment to make a positive impact and initiate change within ourselves. A space for us to be our authentic selves without conforming pressures by giving freedom, agency and time to unlock imagination. An exploration of performativity: navigating identity while maintaining authenticity and challenging societal norms. Exploring this through interacting with our surroundings and connecting with the Scottish landscape as a way to reconcile our relationship with the land and connect with our authentic selves.

Shona sees her practice as a cathartic process: of self examination and revealing vulnerabilities with care and thought. Making time for reflection through forming connections with a visual language/story as a way of portraying inner being and how it can manifest externally. Becoming self aware of strengths and weaknesses to initiate change by dissolving old and forming new as part of a spiritual journey. Overcoming experiences and feelings of anxiety, loss and grief to learn, grow and heal from pivotal moments, that can be shown in glimpses of our stories. Drawing inspiration from her mixed Nigerian roots, Southern English Grandma's creativity, and growing up in Dundee as a way of connecting with her heritage and honouring her ancestors.