UCLan student creates installation to help her relieve anxiety

Maariyah Patel, a student at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has created an installation called ‘Feather Weight’ with the use of 3D printing and and various textiles to bring the project to life, displayed at the UCLan’s Degree Shows.

The ‘multi-medium’ installation, which is a depiction of feeling relief from anxiety, helped the 24-year-old manage her own anxiety when she was making it. She used fabrics with a mix of textures and shades to bring out their feather-like qualities and utilized grey-painted plaster bases and white hose vents to merge them harmoniously into the gallery floor and walls.

Explaining the design, Patel said, “The design showcases elements of imperfections to symbolise the mental relief humans experience when they no longer seek to strive for perfection.”

“Looking at elements of architecture and the forms becoming like a playground jungle gym, there was a real child-like playfulness that emulates from my work and the opportunity to be as experimental as possible meant that I was only limited to what my imagination could conjure up.”

The Fine Art students admits to having been through anxiety issues and finding that working with ‘interactive mediums’ helped her deal with them and be more focused. She chose the degree at UCLan because of the facilities available to her and the freedom to work with different forms of art.

She adds, “Whilst having the tutors available to help whenever you may need yet being encouraged to make mistakes and explore as much as possible, I feel I was organically able to discover my uniqueness and individuality.”

The talented woman has secured several offers to work in the industry with the help of UCLan’s Careers Jamming Session, including four-week internships at The Bluecoat and Macclesfield’s Silk Museum.

“I would like to participate in sharing the positive impact that the arts can have on mental health, whilst promoting its importance in culture/society. I think I’ll go where the wind takes me and try any opportunities I may come across,” Patel says.