Remedy & Risk is an artist-led masterclass that explores the dual nature of plants – those that heal and those that harm – through the tactile process of Gelli printing.

This mono-printing technique captures the delicate textures and forms of plants, offering a sensory and visual method for examining their properties and form.

The workshop uses medicinal herbs such as sage, thyme, yarrow, rosemary and calendula, plants known for their soothing, antiseptic and immune-boosting qualities. These herbs symbolise comfort, healing and care, and their presence in art reflects the nurturing relationship between nature and well-being.

In contrast, plants that are toxic when ingested like deadly nightshade (belladonna), foxglove (digitalis) and hemlock will be used to explore their visual beauty and deceptive allure. Though striking in appearance, these plants carry potent chemical dangers, provoking reflection on the fine line between remedy and risk.

The masterclass invites participants to engage with the festival’s theme, Comfort and Disturb, using symbolic raw materials and Gelli printing as a sensory tool. It encourages reflection on how the same environment that nurtures us can also pose harm, and uses Autumnal herbs and plants as a metaphor to discuss mental health, while providing participants with knowledge of plant properties.

Remedy & Risk promotes creative self-expression, resilience and emotional wellbeing in a safe and inclusive space. It celebrates recovery journeys and reinforces mental health challenges as a shared human experience.