Sunburst Gallery, Newtownards, NI
Reframing and Reconnecting 2026
Photo Credit | David Copeland
Reframing VI installation is a collaborative artwork created with people living with acquired brain injury (ABI) from the charity Brain Injury Matters. It was inspired by objects in The Art of the Possible exhibition at the Ulster Museum, as well as the flowing organic work of artist Joseph Walsh, whose sculptural forms influenced the piece’s sense of movement and connection.
The installation was developed through a series of creative workshops where participants explored materials, shared experiences and worked together to shape the final piece. Using origami, the group created a large installation made up of brightly coloured paper “brains.” Each one is unique, reflecting personal stories, emotions and relationships after brain injury, while also forming part of a larger, connected whole.
The act of folding and scrunching was both calming and engaging. It gave participants a simple structure to follow, while still allowing space for creativity and self-expression. Over time this process supported focus, coordination and a sense of ownership in the work.
Arranged in flowing, wave-like formations, the installation reflects the reality that life after brain injury is not a straight path. Instead, it moves in cycles of challenge, adjustment and renewal. The piece explores how relationships and emotions shift over time and how people find new ways to understand themselves and others.
At its heart, Reframing VII is about shared experience. No single contribution stands above another; the meaning comes from bringing everything together. It becomes not just an artwork, but a space for connection, understanding and mutual support.
Different versions of the Reframing series have also been exhibited internationally, including at Pennsylvania State University and Trinity College Dublin, extending the reach of these shared stories to wider audiences. This piece has been specially created for the Mental Health Arts NI Mindset Festival, BELONGING 2026.
By bringing together museum inspiration, craft and lived experience the project shows how creative activity can support wellbeing whilst also helping people rebuild a sense of identity and create more inclusive spaces for those living with ABI.