world2 is an illustration research project, a collaborative space that prompts conversation between text and image. The project aims to unbind the authoritative voice from my art, allowing me to relearn, from seeing the work in new contexts, through chance, and the conversation of others.

The website invites written contributions from anyone, responses are based on individual experiences or interpretations of the drawings. These short texts are then incorporated back into the site to form the second part of world2, which generates randomised ‘card pairings’ of image and text. These cards then build a gallery of unique connections and unusual stories.

I created the gallery to be a place where image and text come together, promoting the importance of language in image-making as well as highlighting an image’s ability to generate meaning independently. It was a space not only where I can learn from my own work, but also acts as a constant source for inspiration.

world2 has developed into a wonderful project because of everyone’s participation. I have drawn around 200 images and with almost 1000 contributions, it’s a growing, reactive space where collaboration can still exist in a time where connecting with others is limited. I would love to continue to promote the poetry and beauty of the contributions. Here, sharing ideas is simple, I hope it shows the power an image has to ignite conversation.