The Other Travel Agency - Inner Journey

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The Other Travel Agency – Inner Journey is a body of mixed media installations and sculptural structures that was produced through collaborative art making and diverse forms of public engagement. Building on Inglis’ longstanding participatory- driven work with Outsider artists, the project explored equality in disability-focused arts studios and communities and involved disabled artist groups across the Nordic countries. The project was organized by the Nordic Outsider Art Network and commissioned by Inuti (a foundation in Stockholm that practices art therapy for people with intellectual disabilities) and the Kettuki Association, (Finland’s nationwide studio network for Outsider artists) for the annual European Outsider Art Association conference (May 2019). Many of the participants were autistic: the project encouraged new forms of communication and social interaction through the medium of art. The output was disseminated through a series of international exhibitions. It was first presented at Inuti Gallery, Stockholm (24–31 May 2019). It was subsequently invited to join a large touring show, The Other Travel Agency, which brought together Nordic Outsider Art Network contributions from the four Nordic countries. This was launched at the European Union Parliament Gallery, Brussels (24–26 September 2019) to an audience of over 5,000. The work then toured to Pertti’s Choice, Helsinki – a cultural production space for Outsider art and culture (11 October – 11 December 2019), where it was seen by over 500 people. The exhibition included a filmed documentary made by Inglis, recording this experience and featuring contributions from the artists involved (see Appendix, page 21). Inglis’ research was ‘highly commended’ by Building Better Healthcare Awards (2019).