Art Beyond The Shell

Art Beyond the Shell aka "The Turtles" was created after the pandemic in December 2021. Once the government lifted restrictions and we were allowed to attend events again, the social change in the way young people interacted was clear. We noticed an air of anxiety around reintegrating despite the human need for intimacy and community. We created our mascot "The Turtle" to help address this social issue. The Turtle is someone who is curious, imaginative and has creative ideas, but he is reluctant to socialise, he is anxious about meeting new people and exploring new spaces, especially with the increasing cost of living. We wanted to create an inclusive and safe space so our turtles feel comfortable to come out their shells and so that they can 'enjoy at their own pace'.