Landscapes of our childhood

Exploring the landscapes that shape who we are © Lily Bakratsa

Landscapes of Our Childhood aimed to explore the powerful connection between people, place and memory, using personal photographs as a starting point for conversation and creative exchange. By inviting participants to share a childhood image connected to a meaningful landscape or place, the workshop created a space for people to reflect on the feelings, memories and sensory experiences that shaped their relationship with place.

Through recreating these landscapes creatively, participants were encouraged to look beyond the photograph itself and identify the qualities that made each place special — its colours, textures, vegetation, water, light, activities or atmosphere. The workshop sought to celebrate these personal landscapes while creating opportunities for storytelling, empathy and connection between community members, using shared memories of place as a gentle way to break the ice, build relationships and discover common experiences.

From coastal memories to creative expression © Lily Bakratsa

A family walk beneath the trees © Lily Bakratsa

The workshop began with an informal ice-breaker, inviting each participant to share a childhood photograph connected to a meaningful place or landscape. Participants talked about where the photograph was taken, the memories it evoked, and the feelings associated with that particular moment and place.

Participants were then encouraged to look more closely at their chosen photograph and identify the elements that made the place special to them. They explored colours, textures, vegetation, water, light, sounds, activities and atmosphere, considering which landscape qualities contributed to their positive memories and sense of connection.

The final stage transformed these personal reflections into creative responses. Participants recreated their chosen landscapes, focusing on the features and qualities that mattered most to them rather than simply reproducing the original photograph. This provided an opportunity for creative expression while allowing participants to share their individual stories and discover connections with one another.

A landscape memory recreated © Lily Bakratsa

One of the key outcomes was the creation of a more personal and connected group dynamic. Sharing childhood memories gave participants an opportunity to reveal something meaningful about themselves in a relaxed and non-judgemental setting. The photographs became a starting point for conversations, helping participants discover shared experiences, interests and emotional connections to places.

The workshop encouraged participants to think about landscape beyond its physical appearance and consider the emotional qualities that make a place memorable. Through their stories and creative responses, they identified elements such as trees, water, colour, open space, paths, planting, family activities and atmosphere as important ingredients in their experience of place. This revealed the diversity of ways in which people perceive, value and connect with landscapes.

The final creative work transformed individual memories into visual expressions that could be shared and celebrated collectively. Participants experimented with colour, composition and materials to reinterpret their landscapes, creating a collection of highly personal responses. The outcome was not simply a series of artworks, but a shared portrait of the community — bringing together different generations, places, stories and experiences through a common appreciation of landscape and memory.