Loose Ends: exploring radical family history through art

For the ‘Loose Ends: Exploring Radical Family History Through Art’ project, Professor Laura King (School of History) teamed up with artist Ellie Harrison and her company Polite Rebellion to examine how family histories can be shared and understood beyond the limits of traditional, linear family trees. The project drew on Professor King’s research into the meanings of family history and the exclusions often embedded within conventional genealogical practices. The project sought to develop more inclusive ways of representing family relationships, including chosen families as well as biological ties. 

Activities

Working with participants, Ellie Harrison developed a series of family histories that challenged the idea of the family tree as a fixed or universal model. These stories were brought together in a participatory installation, alongside Harrison’s own family history, using embroidered artworks created in collaboration with two textile artists. Visitors to the installation were invited not only to engage with the artworks, but to actively contribute by creating their own representations of family based on the relationships that matter most to them. 

Impact

The team presented the installation at Trinity Leeds as part of the internationally renowned Compass Festival, where it was visited by around 600 people over the course of a week. Audience responses were captured through written feedback at the installation, providing insight into how visitors connected with the themes of inclusion, memory and belonging. The team also created an online version of ‘Loose Ends’ to ensure wider reach and accessibility. Produced in collaboration with digital interactive company Dreaming Methods, the website has attracted over 2,000 unique interactions to date. 

The project was closely informed by Professor King’s recent research, including her book Living with the Dead (Oxford University Press, 2025) and the edited collection Inheriting the Family (Bloomsbury, 2025), which shaped the conceptual framework for the artistic work and its public interpretation. 

Future plans

‘Loose Ends’ has laid the groundwork for further development of the project and partnership. Follow-on plans include extending the online platform to allow users to create interactive ‘chosen family’ trees, offering a critical alternative to commercial family history tools. The team is currently exploring funding opportunities for this next phase in collaboration with the University's Centre for Digital Cultures and Creativity. 

Project team

Dr Laura King (School of History)  

Compass Festival  

Polite Rebellion