Young Creatives Collective: Possible Futures

Each year, Modern Art Oxford invites 8 Young Creatives aged 16-19 to bring new perspectives to our programme. 

This year, the group created a collective artwork titled Possible Futures which responds to the themes and materials in Frieda Toranzo Jaeger: A future in the light of darkness. The artwork is displayed in the Creative Space throughout the exhibition.  They have collected some questions for those who see their artwork, in real life or online.

Possible Futures

A photo of a collaborative artwork created by Modern Art Oxford's Young Creatives. It is a multicoloured, multi-panelled arch showing a tree with plants growing. Inside the tree is a heart. Embroidery runs throughout the piece.
The Young Creatives Collective, Possible Futures. 2024.
Answer these questions about the Young Creatives artwork:
  • Where do you see yourself in this artwork?
  • Do you feel part of it, or outside of it?
  • Does it feel cosy, or threatening / oppressive?
  • Which part of the artwork resonates the most with how you see the future?
  • How does the artwork influence the way you see the future?
  • How could this artwork inspire your own work?
  • What are the elements of reality in the painting, and which ones are more dystopian or utopian?
  • Are we living in a dystopia or an utopia?
  • What do you think the heart represents? And what about the spikes around it?
  • In what ways do you think this artwork reflects or challenges Frieda?
  • Do you think the spread of technology is a good or a bad thing?
  • What do you think would be in the artwork gaps and behind it, where there is a wall? What do you think there is behind the doors?
  • What do you think the strings represent?
  • In which ways does this work differ and respond to Frieda’s work?
  • How can this work relate to your own life?
  • What is your favourite part of the work?

Collective writing:

A scan of a piece of writing reading: When I look at the hearts in Frieda’s work, ♥ I hope they will open ♥. Let people in. Frieda’s work shows LOVE. But Artwork is open to interpretation. Whatever feeling is invoked in an observer by Frieda’s work or our work depends on who they are, their life, their heart To understand means to say “I know”. But do I know really. Do I know about things that really matter. Maybe the reason they matter is because I don’t know. Because they are Our hearts Our bodies Heart Hearts There’s no Feeling like LOVE Live Love Where does “understanding” fit into this? We need hope to be able to imagine. Otherwise what’s left? - Decolonisation of the imagination means letting ourselves hope for the future. Not perfect, but better. Let feelings in. Leave preconceptions out. What do you want to feel? Next to this is a photo of people sticking words on a piece of paper on a wooden round table that has been painted and scribbled on.
A scan of a piece of paper reading: I cannot stop working BIG to create a space for possibilities. Do not be scared of sharing the workload to finish in time. A sense belonging In the online Much a collaborative project so fulfilling and freeing How does my pencil meet yours? Not afraid of working not through words. Togetherness in creation is so powerful. Do you think? To love To give When you lose faith In society I can only hope. People, bodies, wounds, blood. Next to this is a photo of two young people standing around a large circular wooden table holding pieces of paper.
A photo of a group of young people standing around a large blue painting. One woman is standing closer to it and pointing at a specific part. Next to this image is a scan of a piece of paper reading: Creating the artwork - Sense of community - Sharing ways to hope & find escape. Collaboration, sharing ideas. Embroidery as a collective making. Mending. Blending. Stitching. Can we get closer? Yes. ☆Culture☆ Frieda - Mexico - Tradition Wanting to be close to her culture but not defined by it. - This is so true, and it’s a relationship that needs to be re-negotiated constantly. Preserving traditions but freeing them. Changing them. BEYOND WORDS “The dystopian elements certainly were grounded in unreality”. - Makes you wonder if they could become real. Space in a non-colonial way. Can it exist? What is the “outside”?
A photo showing a piece of paper reading: Slashing apart and breaking a sense of peace and belonging. “Not being able to understand” displaced narratives Miscommunication I want to think Re-imagining beyond The main representation of love Creating a feeling almost of PROTECTION (from the dystopia - or the outside) I don’t know but I want to know. How do we stay comfortably with this feeling of not knowing or understanding? Because when I don’t understand I imagine. I think every piece of art contains some elements of LOVE. It transports me to a different world when I look at it. I feel close to the artists. Other artists creatively (and also literally). A photo of a woman standing in front of a large panelled painting of a space ship interior.
Download the poetic responses here

Have your answers changed after reading our poetic response?

You can visit Frieda Toranzo Jaeger: A future in the light of darkness until 26 May 2024.

Find out more about the exhibition here

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