A Parade of Self

TriggerBliss and Kim Davey 

We are pleased to announce that spoken word artist TriggerBliss, and artist, writer, prop-maker and learning curator Kim Davey have been commissioned to deliver a project that celebrates women across mid-Suffolk and Essex.

TriggerBliss and Kim’s project, A Parade of Self, celebrates community, diversity and the power of the written and spoken word. Through a series of inclusive workshops launching on International Women’s Day, the artists will guide participants in exploring how words can signify strength, self-assurance, and empowerment, encouraging participants to embrace self-celebration and self-love, challenging societal expectations by demanding respect, validation, and self-worth.

The culmination of this journey will be a creative community-led demonstration, where participants will document their experiences, ideas and affirmations onto lengths of cloth, then wrap themselves in these “empowerment fabrics”. These fabric pieces, adorned with personal narratives, will be showcased in a moving parade and exhibition, which will visually communicate the layered identities of each participant, embodying the idea that, from a distance, we may see only surface impressions, but true understanding requires closer observation.

This project will serve as both a celebration and a statement. It will promote self-love, mutual respect, and the transformation of language, providing a space where women can reclaim their narratives, celebrate their identities, and inspire others to look beyond the surface. This communal act seeks to connect individual experiences to the universal, sparking conversation around identity, belonging, and the biases we hold when viewing others. From the workshops through to the final parade and exhibition, the project will foster the act of recognising and celebrating our differences.

“We are grateful and over the moon to present A Parade of Self to the community and, in unity, create a demonstration of empowerment. Over the next few months, we invite people to connect with us, share their stories and life experiences, get creative and reclaim stereotypes. We want to see communities embrace conversations that support each other in feeling heard, seen and inspired. Join our movement, A Parade of Self as an advocate of self. All that’s required is you.” Kim Davey and TriggerBliss (commissioned artists)

“We are very excited to be working on this special project. TriggerBliss and Kim Davey are perfectly placed for this commission, bringing the community together to celebrate identity, challenge stereotypes and promote wellbeing” Essex Cultural Diversity Project.

The Advocates of Self

Kim Davey (she/her) is a visual artist, writer, prop-maker and learning curator. With years of experience working backstage in the theatre creating sets for casts of up to 100 people, to now working in a contemporary art gallery in Essex. Kim is well-connected and deeply rooted in the community of Southeast Essex, taking her work to working class and marginalised communities that face barriers to accessing the arts as she did growing up.

TriggerBliss (she/they) fuses spoken word with other artforms to inspire healing, conscious thought, and authentic expression. They have experience in coordinating productions that fuse written and spoken word with music and movement and have co-organised 2 processions for Southend’s Halloween Parade with Elevator Arts. TriggerBliss delivers workshops with diverse groups of the community that include creative writing and exploring thought and emotion through journaling.

instagram.com/triggeryourbliss | instagram.com/thepartypiece | triggeryourbliss.com

Image credits | Left: Kim Davey 2024, photographer Amber Merry | Right: TriggerBliss, photographer Nicola Parry