Arts in touch

Arts in touch was formed as an arts approach that encourages haptic methodologies within the process of making. Valuing the importance of touch to create connection with materials allows makers to engage in a practice that is rooted in play, supporting instinctive hands-on making, driven through the act of doing.

Facilitating simple autonomous approaches to making, Arts in touch practice encourages, a deeper haptic dialogue with materials and self-directed exploration, developing meaningful exchanges and creating greater confidence in makers own choices and experiences.

About me

Founder of arts in touch.

Saira Yates

 As an inclusive arts practitioner, I am committed to developing and facilitating inclusive art projects and opportunities within our communities. Making art experiences accessible to all.

 For my master’s post grad qualification in Inclusive arts practice, my research included, exploring texture and ways collaboration between material and visually impaired makers can be achieved. Observing visually impaired makers interactions with materials, highlighted the tacit knowledge held and the importance of touch (as its own language) during hands-on making.

My work includes soft sculptures, weavings/fibre art, ceramics and painting. Although my imagination dictates my initial direction, the materials I have to hand can inspire and shape my art-making process. I want my art to invoke feelings of play and fun in the viewer.

As an artist, the process of using my hands to create, has played a pivotal role throughout my life. I am further studying the effects of centring touch as an explorative approach to making.

I am currently exploring the theme of connection, using textiles and fibres as a way of binding, tying, attaching, and holding to create togetherness. The use of texture and the exploration around the use of colours helps to reveal the unique qualities of the different materials I engage with during the arts process.