Eleanor Ross

MEd Creative Education

Inspired by my visit to the foundling museum I decided to research my home. We live in a rented house called Heartsease in Mayfield, East Sussex which sits along side 4 other similar buildings to form St Marys in the field. My reason for wanting to research this is because it was once rural home for disadvantaged and orphaned children from London. However there is very little known about it other than couple of accounts from elderly residents in the village who had memories of the children here. I have spent the last 2 months getting really knee deep in research which took me to many different places and have uncovered such incredible things. I have photographed, filmed, drawn, researched online, contacted the anglican church, contacted the original hospital, discovered what happened afterwards and tried to piece everything together. I was mostly inspired by huge quantities of broken ceramics and dolls which were dug up in my neighbours garden which date from around the time of the orphanage. I am a textile designer by trade so I decided to piece together as many of the broken ceramics I could and reimagine what their table setting might of looked like. I then had my design printed onto fabric to use as a tablecloth.

To compliment Eleanor’s thesis around the idea of compassion pedagogy in education and the suffering artist. Eleanor invites you to engage in a hands-on textiles workshop designed to foster compassion through active learning. Participants will explore creating collaborative pieces that reflect themes of their choice. Through a shared creative processes, attendees will not only develop new skills but also deepen their understanding of others. This workshop emphasizes inclusivity and the power of art to build connections, inviting everyone to contribute their unique perspectives and create a collective work of art that embodies understanding.

Dissecting a monitor for Decay collective AcrossRCA project film.

Action Research - The Silent Crit

About

Hi, I am a Textile Designer, Artist and Educator committed to increasing participation in the arts and exploring the margins with compassion. My designs combine traditional and contemporary techniques, creating unique and meaningful works that tell stories and connect people. As an artist, I focus on themes of the environment and the natural world, using my craft to foster understanding and beauty of the world around us. I am dedicated to making art accessible to all which engages and inspires diverse audiences. I aim to create a more inclusive and compassionate world, encouraging everyone to find their voice and contribute to the arts.

Leveraging my extensive background as a Textile Designer, Med in Creative Education and BA Hons in Textile Design from Chelsea College of Art and Design. I am dedicated to inspiring and guiding the next generation of creative minds.

With 15 years of experience in the textile industry, I have developed a diverse skill set that includes design innovation, production management, and a strong network of industry contacts. My goal is to translate complex concepts into engaging and accessible learning experiences, ensuring that students gain both technical proficiency and a deep appreciation for sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. I am committed to fostering a compassionate and collaborative environment, empowering students to push the boundaries of their creativity, embrace diverse perspectives, and adopt sustainable practices. Additionally, my journey as a mother has enriched my approach, instilling patience, empathy, and resilience. Ultimately, I aim to create a dynamic learning community where every student feels valued, inspired, and prepared to make meaningful contributions to the creative industries and endeavours.

Links to some of my RCA outcomes and works:

IRP – The Suffering Artist and Compassion Pedagogy – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJhLyIZ0nFY&t=2s

AcrossRCA

https://acrossrca2024.rca.ac.uk/students/eleanor-ross/

https://www.rca.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/discover-collaborative-student-work-created-through-acrossrca/

https://www.instagram.com/decay_collective6/

Mres Elective – Collaboration and Interdisciplinary as Method – https://youtu.be/6H9Lhc6Xghg

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