We've run quite a few residency schemes but the Cocoon call turned out to be an unexpected hit, with 274 applications coming in from all over the world. We though the theme of 'moths and the viruses that infect them' might be so niche that it might not get a lot of interest, how wrong we were! There were so many thoughtful ideas from people with all sorts of practices, including a psychotherapist, several rappers, an aerial circus performer, a surprising number of shadow puppeteers, and many, many others.
Five of us were involved in shortlisting, two from Then Try This and three researchers from Dr. Ben Longdon's UK Moth Virome Project at the University of Exeter. We gradually formed an extended longlist of 34, a longlist of 13, a shortlist of 6, and finally chose 3 to be the residents. It was not easy at all, and we would truly love to have been able to fund more of the ideas. We looked for projects that we thought would fit well for the research project and for the public gardens that the residencies (and our studio) are situated within, as well as looking for people bringing particularly interesting interpretations of the call. The residencies are funded by the Natural Environment Research Council which comes from tax payers' money, so we always think about the legacy of these projects, how our broader communities might benefit, and what our residents might gain personally and professionally from the experience.
Some of the residents will be holding open events, which we'll put on our website and social media as they develop - these will take place over autumn/winter 2026.
And now, here they are!
Charlotte Evans (she/her) is a Creative Designer from Cornwall. She established her creative design studio 'The Old Brick Studio' in 2020. Whilst still working under this studio which specialises in event and brand illustrations, her painting background has led her to look for ways to re-introduce a more hand led practice into her career path.
Interested (obsessed) with all things nature, bugs and wildlife ever since she was little, Charlotte has always seen the importance and had a love for all beings, no matter how small. And after losing her dad 4 years ago to Motor Neurone Disease she’s done a lot of thinking over the past few years on freedom, movement and illness. Charlotte looks to draw a comparison between humans and moths with the aim to educate people further on the impact of viruses and disease through her art. Excited to return to creating in a more tactile way through painting, drawing and community. This residency feels like the perfect environment to inform and develop her practice.
Born in Korea and raised in East Africa, Melanie Hyo-In Han (she/her) recently moved from the US to the UK. She is the author of Passing Notes in Secret, Abecedarian: Banff, Canada, My Dear Yeast, and Sandpaper Tongue, Parchment Lips, as well as the translator of several collections of Spanish poetry.
During the Cocoon Residency, she'll be working on a poetry pamphlet about moths and the viruses that affect them. In Korean culture, moths have long been associated with spirits and memory; drawing on these symbolisms, as well as her own experiences with migration, Melanie will be exploring fragility and generational memory through fragmented lyric and visual poetry. She will also be hosting eco-poetry workshops for local participants, focusing on the ecological significance of moths.
Jasmine Saunders (she/her) is a ceramicist and Natural Science student who loves supporting people in learning through tactile creativity. Inspired by the theme of interconnection between genetics, moth species and their viruses, this project will be a community collaboration with people from our own ecosystem at Potager and beyond.
Together, we will get our hands stuck in carving and moulding clay to each make small moth sculptures. Using plant imprint textures, colour and metal wire links, the individual moths will come together into one big mosaic-like arrangement - all informed by Dr Longdon’s research into genetic relatedness.