Episode 5. Karen Duval — Making the Door
Ep.5. Karen Duval — Making the Door
The word adequate comes from the Latin adaequare. To make level. To put on equal footing. That's what happened in that ward.
Karen's job at Tonic Arts is partly about making the door exist in the first place — slowly, relationally, through showing up and being trusted and coming back. The pathway into NHS arts work is not a form. It's people knowing you're there.
The most useful thing from our conversation came almost as an aside — and it came from me, not Karen, though Karen's honesty is what prompted it.
Do we ask enough? Before we arrive with our plans already made, our outputs already described — do we actually ask what people need?
Probably not. But we could start.
Karens game is:
Contour Portrait Race
Objective: Draw a portrait of a friend in 60 seconds.
Rules: Look straight ahead, only at your subject (not your paper). One attempt only. No cheating!
Demo: Keep it simple. Grab some paper and a pen. Work your hand and eye coordination - let the right side of your brain take over!