My practice is a continuous inquiry into thresholds — the fluid spaces between inner and outer, self and world, human and more-than-human.
Biography
Laurel Gallagher is a visual artist and process-based researcher whose work spans painting, textiles, video, performance and participatory practice. Her practice is underpinned by a consistent methodology — cyclical, reflective, embodied — applied with the same rigour across studio work, public commission, participatory practice and academic collaboration.
She has co-authored and presented research with academic partners across ecology, psychology and education, and her participatory practice has been supported by Arts Council England, Reaching Communities and AHRC-funded interdisciplinary academic research. From 2018 to 2025 she co-founded and co-directed Urban Wilderness CIC, working at the intersection of arts, ecology and place in Stoke-on-Trent.
Urban Wilderness CIC | 2018–2025
Co-founded and co-directed Urban Wilderness CIC in Stoke-on-Trent — a community interest company working at the intersection of arts, ecology and place, funded by Arts Council England, Reaching Communities and as a partner in AHRC-funded interdisciplinary research. The organisation grew to deliver a flagship annual community event, the Pig Walk, and infrastructure contributing to Longton’s cultural regeneration, including its bid for Town of Culture designation.
Within this, I initiated and led two programmes central to my practice and research: In the Balance — artist-led talks and peer exchange building a community of practice around art, environment and place; and Art Club — collaborative action research with neurodivergent young people, through which I formalised and embedded a Pedagogy of Transformation framework delivered by trained artist support staff.
Collaborative Research & Publications
Morgan, C. (ed.) (2022). Creative Decommissioning. AHRC Decommissioning the Twentieth Century Project. Keele University, University of Lincoln, University of Hertfordshire, Northumbria University. Urban Wilderness contribution: The Museum of Possibilities, Chatterley Whitfield, 2021–2022.
Hallam, J., Gallagher, L. and Owen, K. (2021). The secret language of flowers. Environmental Education Research.
Hallam, J., Gallagher, L. and Harvey, C. (2021). ‘I don’t wanna go. I’m staying. This is my home now.’ Urban Forestry and Urban Greening.
Hallam, J., Gallagher, L. and Harvey, C. (2019). ‘We’ve been exploring and adventuring.’ The Humanistic Psychologist.
Anderson, B. and Gallagher, L. (2018). Feral Futures: children re-imagine derelict urban sites. Interdisciplinary research project in partnership with Keele University coCREATE, exhibited as part of Being Human Festival 2018, Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent. Featured on BBC Radio 3, The Essay.
Commissions & Public Work
2017 — Follow the Birds art trail, Appetite’s The Big Feast, Stoke-on-Trent
2017 — Follow the Birds art trail, Festival Stoke Art Street, Stoke-on-Trent
2016 — Lost Garden Festival installation and nature art workshops, Stoke-on-Trent
2016 — Arts Council Project Fund, Feral Spaces of Middleport, Stoke-on-Trent
Residencies
2024–2025 — AA2A Artist Residency, University of Staffordshire
2023 — Destination Dartmoor, Mayes Creative
2022 — Wild Swimming R&D, Anglesey
Teaching Experience
2021–2025 — Programme Director, Art Club, 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
Education
2010 — MDip Art and Design Education, UCL Institute of Education. Studio Practice as Research module established a personal pedagogy of transformation through material practice.
2004 — PGCE Art & Design Education, Oxford Brookes University
2000 — BA (Hons) Fine Art, Nottingham Trent University
1997 — Foundation Diploma, Hereford College of Art & Design
FERAL STATE 