Laurel Gallagher
laurel@feralstate.org
Laurel is a visual artist and practice-based researcher working with human and more-than-human ecologies. Using paint, textiles, video, and performance, she explores transformation through material processes. Her practice examines relationships between body, place, and experience, focusing on change, connection, and the fluid boundaries between inner and outer worlds.
Her current work investigates how fabric, water, and body interact to generate emergent forms, revealing the vitality and responsiveness of materials. The work reflects an ongoing interest in the entanglement of material and ecological processes and artistic practice.
Laurel often collaborates across disciplines, combining visual art, research, education, and facilitation. As a founding co-director of Urban Wilderness CIC, she supports creative projects that foster wellbeing, community engagement, and deeper connections with ecological spaces and more-than-human worlds. She welcomes opportunities for collaboration, exhibition, and interdisciplinary dialogue with artists, curators, and researchers exploring material, environmental, or process-based practice.
Exhibitions
Nov 2022; Entangled Fronteer Gallery Paint! group show, Sheffield
Nov 2021; Studies in Time and Space The Foxlowe Arts Centre Christmas Exhibition, Leek
Jan 2019; Birds from the Feral State The Foxlowe Arts Centre Cafe, Leek
Nov 2018; Portraits from the Feral State Boki Coffee Shop, London
March 2016; Shadow of a Feral State The Globe Gallery, Hay-on-Wye
Nov 2014; Creatures from the Feral State Spout coffee shop, Leek
July 2013; Magpies from the Feral State Piccolos Corner, West Leederville, Western Australia
Residencies
Oct 2024 – April 2025; AA2A Artist Residency, University of Staffordshire, Surface Pattern Design Department
Jan 2023; Destination Dartmoor, Mayes Creative, Braken Tor
Jan 2022; Wild Swimming R&D, Anglesey
Commissions
Aug 2017; Follow the Birds art trail Appetite’s The Big Feast, Stoke on Trent
Aug 2017; Follow the Birds art trail Festival Stoke Art Street, Stoke on Trent
Sept 2016; Lost Garden Festival installation and nature art workshops, funded by the Art City consortium, Stoke on Trent
Awards
Aug 2016; Arts Council project fund; Feral Spaces of Middleport nature art workshops and exhibition; Middleport Pottery, Stoke on Trent
Publications
Hallam, J., Gallagher, L. and Owen K. (2021). The secret language of flowers: insights from an outdoor, arts-based intervention designed to connect primary school children to locally accessible nature. Environmental Education Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2021.1994926
Hallam, J., Gallagher, L., and Harvey, C. (2021). ‘I don’t wanna go . I’m staying. This is my home now.’ Analysis of an intervention for connecting young people to nature. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127341
Hallam J., Gallagher, L. and Harvey (2019). ‘We’ve been exploring and adventuring.’ An investigation into young people’s engagement with a semi-wild, disused space. The Humanistic Psychologist. https://doi.org/10.1037/hum0000158
Presentations
Anderson, B. and Gallagher, L. (2018). ‘Feral Futures: children re-imagine derelict urban sites’. Exhibition as part of Being Human Festival 2018; exhibited at Stoking Curiosity, Spode and Potteries Museum and Art Gallery.
Hallam, J. and Gallagher, L. (2021). ‘How can co-creative community arts practices inspire nature connection in young people? A collaboration between arts and academic practice researchers’ Workshop presented at Young Nature, British Ecological Society 23rd June
Hallam, J. and Gallagher, L., (2019a). ‘I’m going to hug the tree’ Insights from a youth led intervention designed to facilitate a connection to nature with young people in a low SES area. Paper presented at the Valuing Nature conference, Royal Society, London 28th-29th October
Hallam, J. and Gallagher, L., (2019b). ‘If we don’t tidy this up where are people going to play?’ Insights from a youth-led, community based place making project. Paper presented at the Playful planet – For a child friendly world conference. Bristol 27th-29tth November.
Hallam, J., Gallagher, L., Harvey, C. (2019). ‘We’ve been exploring and adventuring.’ An investigation into young people’s engagement with a semi-wild, disused space. Paper presented at the Nature Connections conference, University of Derby 2nd July.
Qualifications
2010 UCL Institute of Education, PG Dip in Art & Design Education
2004 Oxford Brookes University, PGCE in Art & Design Education
2000 Nottingham Trent University, BA (Hons) Fine Art
1997 Hereford College of Art & Design, Foundation Diploma in Art & Design
Teaching Experience
2021-Present Art Club senior artist and team leader, Urban Wilderness CIC, Stoke on Trent
2010-2011 Art teacher and technician Weobley High School, Herefordshire
2004-2010 Art teacher and Community art officer The Forest School, Wokingham
2004-2005 Artist in residence The Forest School, Wokingham
FERAL STATE 