King John’s House: Scratching the Surface

In 2022, I completed an artist residency at King John’s House and Museum in Romsey, a unique medieval site steeped in history and intrigue. Inspired by the museum’s rich collection of medieval graffiti, I crafted a playful, immersive experience that brought the past to life in unexpected ways.

At the heart of the project was a mischievous dog, one of the graffitied characters etched onto the walls of the house. Through animation, projection, and sound, visitors were invited to step into his narrative and reimagine history through play. The project encouraged participation, with visitors able to leave their own marks on a replica medieval wall, designed and constructed by my co-artist and sound designer, Tom Grover.

This residency was an opportunity to combine storytelling, mischief, interaction design, and collaborative making. Alongside my animation and participatory elements, Tom created the sound design for the animation and built the replica wall that became a hands-on focal point for visitor engagement, helping to deepen the atmosphere and the sense of place.