As a designer & educator passionate about history, I have always been aware of the SS Great Britain and Isambard Kingdom Brunel, but perhaps I underestimated just how relevant this iconic ship was to me personally. 

After attending the 2023 Windrush dinner and having the privilege to personally view artefacts, read research material & diaries from across the world within the Institute library, the reality is that I have a place here and much to explore on behalf of others which has been an honour and a life changing experience for me!

At the back of Being Brunel museum there’s a very small area about the Crimea. This resonated with me because of the current Ukraine war and brought an historical event to life which found fascinating. I was shown Brunel’s actual sketchbook and discovered that Brunel had designed a pop-up hospital which was taken to Renkioi in the Crimea and erected in 1855. It highlighted to me that Brunel’s life work embraced so much more than the Clifton Suspension Bridge and his ship SS Great Britain.

Also during 2023 it was the joint 75th Anniversary of the NHS & Windrush. My final art piece connects all these key elements together and weaves the stories of the iconic figures of Brunel., Florence Nightingale & Mary Seacole forever in print.