Stories of Breath
Stories of Breath is a multi-sensory immersive experience that has been presented in community venues across the UK.
Intertwining art, craft, science, and storytelling, Stories of Breath explores the invisible inequalities in the air that we breathe and how we breathe it – bringing to life personal stories alongside groundbreaking research into the cells and structures of our airways.
The live installation consists of three immersive ‘story tents’ that people are guided through, listening to voices of real people sharing their experiences of asthma. Alongside the ‘story tents’ are craft activities for people to share their own stories about asthma and reflect on the experience.
Experience the digital version of Stories of Breath.
The Tiger
The Tiger is about the constant threat of living with asthma, like the feeling of being stalked by a tiger.
The Snake
The Snake is about the experience of having an asthma attack, like a snake twisting and squeezing.
TRIGGER WARNING: The Snake audio includes a vivid description of the sensation of an asthma attack, including sounds of wheezing and an individual struggling to breathe.
The Swimmer
The Swimmer is about living life well, with asthma. It is about resilience, empowerment and hope for the future.
Stories of Breath was created by the participants and collaborators of Women and Asthma.
Research & Lived Experience Participants
Acia, Angela, Clare, Dimple, Edna, Eimear, Farhana, Gillian, Jebin, Laura, Lubna, Maggie, Mama, Minerva, Neve, Patricia, Sage, Sara, Shaheda, Shahina, Shelly, Simone, Sue and Will.
Ellen Dowell
Creative Producer
Ellen is a creative producer of science engagement. She leads collaborative projects bringing together scientists and researchers with creative practitioners and people with lived experience.
Mark Pavey
Graphic Designer
Mark is a Visual Communicator, printmaker and educator whose work explores the interactions between letters, words and speech.
Emma Powell
Artist, Designer & Maker
Emma is an artist and designer, experienced in designing for film, theatre and installations, with a particular focus on puppetry.
Chloe Rochefort
Textiles Artist
Chloe is an artist and facilitator, focusing on mental wellbeing and community-engagement through intuitive textile processes.
Karina Thompson
Textiles Artist
Karina is a textile artist with many years of experience of helping people express their creativity with sewing, stitch and fabrics.
Theo Whitworth Composer & Sound Designer
Theo is a musician and composer. He has made music for a number of arts organisations, and is a regular collaborator of award-winning theatre company Curious Directive.
Thanks to Paula Gamester and the Sewing Rooms, Deirdre Figueiredo and Craftspace, Esther Malvern, Fini Ali, and Stitches in Time, Diane Nolan and the Concourse Shopping Centre, Angelina Leatherbarrow and Idea Store, Tower Hamlets Town Hall, Tori Hadaway, Yvonne Barker, Paramjit Hans and the Library of Birmingham, Helen Blanchard and Skelmersdale Library, Bev Roberts and ATT Central, Yasmin Akhtar and Go Women Alliance and Allan Herron.