When I Let Her Out to Play

Coming from a background in surface pattern design and illustration, Veronica’s work often embodies whimsical characters and this series in particular; sensory, tactile elements such as hama-beads, sequins and fur.

In 2021 Veronica received a grant from Arts Council England which enabled her to work with a psychologist and victims of domestic abuse to create a series of large-scale artworks depicting the stages of the narcissistic abuse cycle and is now homed at the Nightingale Hospital.

 Since this exhibition Veronica has turned her focus on healing and the notion of inner-child healing in adults. From a young age her work has been heavily inspired from nostalgia, vintage toys and American/East Asian trends. Subsequently her most poignant pieces have been when she ‘let loose’ on the canvas and allows her inner-child out to play and express herself.

 In addition to Veronica’s artistic practice, during her work as an educator and holistic workshop facilitator she has observed how the creation of soft, sensory artworks or textile pieces (from perinatal sessions with mothers and their babies, to the elderly and young) people often bond and conversations deepen when sharing the story of a memory object from childhood or the past, soft objects such as toys or comfort objects often have a melancholic story behind them which deepens the connection and memory.

 This body of work has been created simultaneously and intuitively, allowing the ‘inner-child’ to free reign…

Recent research shows that there are ‘gating’ mechanisms that inhibit memory of painful early experiences. For survival’s sake, The feeling Inner Child goes into the closet and the door is shut. Healing happens when we open the door and invite the Inner Child to come out and be a part of our lives. This is done in a safe atmosphere with respect and protection for that tender being.

- Lucia Capachione, PH.D.

This completed series is currently being exhibited as part of Veronica’s solo exhibition ‘When I Let Her Out To Play’ at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust until 14th April 2025.

61.5 x 91cm

Mixed media: acrylic, gesso, posca pen, oil bar, glitter acrylic, sequins, beads, stitch and fabric on canvas.

61.5 x 91cm

Mixed media: acrylics, gesso, oil bar, glitter acrylics, sequins and stitch on canvas.

76cm x 102cm

Acrylic, glitter acrylic, graphite and gesso on canvas.

25.5cm x 25.5cm

Mixed media: Acrylic, ink, gesso, graphite, sequins and stitch on canvas.

25.5 x 25.5cm

Mixed media: Acrylic, ink, gesso, graphite, sequins and stitch on canvas.

Mixed media: acrylics, gesso, graphite, oil bar and glitter acrylics on canvas.