Natasha Trotman FRSA MCSD FIEDP

By Natasha Trotman

Film commissioned by Somerset House Studios for Hyper Functional, Ultra Healthy, 2020.

Featuring Gabriel Birch, John Horan, Melania Pongan & Natasha Trotman.

With thanks to Rodney Artry, Cynthia Artry, Luca Damiani, R. Troutman & Anthony Welch

Neuro-divergence is a term used to describe ways in which the human brain can function, learn and process information differently. Neurodivergence includes Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Conditions, Autism, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. Trotman’s film combines imagery and spoken word poetry to highlight certain neuro-divergent perspectives. It explores non-normative perceptions and experiences of the everyday and its trials, triumphs and challenges through the contributions of its participants, who have each worked with the artist to develop a verse of the narration. The film invites us to consider non-normative lived experiences and ways of being.

Natasha Trotman is an artist, inclusive designer, maker and researcher whose work focuses on mental difference and neurodiversity as a way to foster new conversations and new approaches to the world around us. Her work examines different ways of experiencing and processing the world – from people with hidden disabilities and neurodivergent communities such as people with dyspraxia and autism, through to people living with dementia; she also works with neurotypical people.

Natasha completed a Masters degree in Information Experience Design at the Royal College of Art in 2016. Most recently working as a Research Associate at The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Inclusive Design and The Wellcome Trust on the 'Design and The Mind' research project in the Wellcome Collection Hub, which engages and co-creates with neurodiverse groups and neurodivergent individuals.

For more information visit: https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/hyper-functional-ultra-healthy/natasha-trotman-subsetreset

By Natasha Trotman

Neuro-divergence (ND) is a term used to describe ways in which the human brain can function, learn and process information differently. Neurodivergence includes Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Conditions, Autism, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. Trotman’s experimental film explores the borderlands between the mainstream and neurodivergent intangible spaces, combining imagery and poetry to explore and illuminate the in-between spaces that neurodivergent’s who traverse worlds whilst navigating the pandemic sometimes seek refuge within. Neuro-mnemonic explores the light and shade of neurodivergent experiences during the pandemic, resituating and holding space. The film seeks to represent ND Polyvocality, aiming to illuminate unheard, overlooked voices and ways of being and invites audiences to consider neurodivergent lived experiences, ways of being, notions of solace and hybrid futures. Exhibited at the National Gallery, The Royal Borough of Kensington’s Art Week festival and Ars Electronica.

Trotman's work explores extending the frontiers of knowledge around mental difference, non-typical ways of being and marginalised experiences in addition to also reframing mainstream notions of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion through an intersectional design lens; forming physical interactions through investigative play to policy design for varied audiences, participants and organisations; one of her most notable works, Tangible Statistics Linguistics, an umbrella project which was nominated for the Helen Hamlyn Snowdon Award for Disability/Inclusive Design, also shown at the V&A. Interrogating notions and western constructs around neurotypes, disability and lived experiences through an interlocked, multi-modal design lens, underpins her articulated outputs such as interactive installations, participatory events and published peer-reviewed papers.

By Natasha Trotman

Neuro-divergence (ND) is a term used to describe ways in which the human brain can function, learn and process information differently. Neurodivergence includes Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Conditions, Autism, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. Trotman's experimental film reclaims the term neurodivergent through abstract imagery and poetics, exploring tethered existences, the textures, complexity and tensions between the mainstream and neurodivergent ways of being. ND, YOU, ME is an Umbrella project, GLITCH interrogates ideas on interdependence, productivity and ND joy using an ND and disabled lens.

The experimental film brings non-typical ways of being into focus and explores neurodiversity, compassion, interdependence and connectedness, celebrating the tapestry of ND bodyminds and experiences.

Trotman's work explores extending the frontiers of knowledge around mental difference, non-typical ways of being and marginalised experiences in addition to also reframing mainstream notions of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion through an intersectional design lens; forming physical interactions through investigative play to policy design for varied audiences, participants and organisations; one of her most notable works, Tangible Statistics Linguistics, an umbrella project which was nominated for the Helen Hamlyn Snowdon Award for Disability/Inclusive Design, also shown at the V&A. Interrogating notions and western constructs around neurotypes, disability and lived experiences through an interlocked, multi-modal design lens, underpins her articulated outputs such as interactive installations, participatory events and published peer-reviewed papers.

By Natasha Trotman

Neurodivergence (ND) is a term used to describe ways in which the human brain can function, learn and process information differently. Neurodivergence includes Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Conditions, Autism, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. Trotman reclaims the term neurodivergent through abstract visual communication and prose, exploring non-typical, intersectional, meta-sectional existences, and tensions between the mainstream and neurodivergent ways of being.

Trotman's experimental film extends the frontiers of polychronic experiences, notions and ways of being through experimental moving image and prose, exploring tethered poly-ND textures, Black ND experiences, multiplicity, compassionate resistance, and multiple forms of connectedness, within the spectrum of ND bodyminds lives and experiences. POLYCHRONIC illuminates ideas on space, time, existences and social ND-focused phenomena from a neurodivergent, disabled lens. POLYPHONIC is part of the Umbrella project ND, YOU, ME.

Trotman's work explores extending the frontiers of knowledge around mental difference, non-typical ways of being and marginalised experiences in addition to also reframing mainstream notions of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion through an intersectional design lens; forming physical interactions through investigative play to policy design for varied audiences, participants and organisations; one of her most notable works, Tangible Statistics Linguistics, an umbrella project which was nominated for the Helen Hamlyn Snowdon Award for Disability/Inclusive Design, also shown at the V&A. Interrogating notions and western constructs around neurotypes, disability and lived experiences through an interlocked, multi-modal design lens, underpins her articulated outputs such as interactive installations, participatory events and published peer-reviewed papers.