Interdisciplinary artist and researcher Usha Mahenthiralingam, whose holistic practice brings together art, health, education and ecology, joined Create Growth N2 (CGN2) in October 2024, drawn by a curiosity about immersive technologies and a desire to explore new ways of working.
Through the programme, she connected with fellow creatives including Dr Richard Ramchurn, sparking a collaboration that led to Terra Nova – an AHRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) funded project exploring ecological regeneration through immersive storytelling.
Since taking part in CGN2, Usha has continued to develop her practice through her own field studies and is currently working with low impact recycled materials, transforming the humble egg box into dome and bowl forms. “I’m enjoying playing with these forms and noticing all the different relationships they evoke – I’m looking forward to where they’ll take me.” Talking of relationships, exciting new opportunities are about to open for her on a Bio Leadership Fellowship, which started in February 2026.
How would you describe your creative practice?
“Life is full of awe and wonder! I love playing with patterns of connection – through the process of making, moving and musing I find meaning – that urge to create is a force of its own! I apply my practice to health and wellbeing, to education and ecology. These fields are all inter-connected they don’t exist in isolation. It’s like we are nature. We’re all intricately entangled.”
Usha’s practice spans visual art, somatic/developmental movement and mentoring. Rooted in a deep connection to nature, her work brings together creativity, embodiment, wellbeing and ecological awareness towards action.
What early influences shaped your work?
“My love of nature began when I was young. It’s a generational thing that has really been passed on. My mum encouraged that. Instead of telling us off for trampling her plants with our boisterous ball games as children, she said, ‘Would you like to make your own garden?’
Taking care of our own plants meant we had a real appreciation of nurturing nature and equally just how much nature nurtures us back!”
Another pivotal moment came at school, when a visiting artist opened new possibilities.
“I made a Titanium brooch, and at the end I asked the jeweller, ‘Is this what you do for a living?’ She said yes – and my world exploded at that point. I never knew that art could be a career.
“Whilst I struggled at school not knowing I was dyslexic, it was art, nature, dance and sports that were both my sanctuary and my liberation.”
These early experiences have continued to shape Usha’s commitment to education and creative mentoring – opening pathways to for others.
Why did you decide to join CGN2?
“I was curious. I thought, well, what is all this about? I’m not very digitally inclined, so I wanted to know more about what immersive technologies are. I loved meeting the cohort and seeing how some of the tools could be used to bring other dimensions alive.”
For Usha, CGN2 provided the space and opportunity to experiment with immersive technologies. The programme enabled her to test new tools, build confidence in working with creative technologies and explore how these could meaningfully support her ecological and wellbeing‑focused practice.
Did anything happen at CGN2 that influenced your next steps?
During CGN2, Usha met Dr Richard Ramchurn, a creative technologist, filmmaker and researcher affiliated with the VIP Studio at the University of Nottingham – one of CGN2’s partners.
“Richard said, ‘I’d like to collaborate with you.’ I didn’t really take it in the first time. But after my presentation, I’m grateful he said it again. He sourced a AHRC IAA grant – we put in an application – and we were successful!”
This moment marked the beginning of Terra Nova, a collaboration that allowed Usha to translate her ecological concerns into immersive into research‑led work.
How did Terra Nova begin?
“As I drove to my mum and dad’s home in the West Midlands, I kept seeing these huge storage warehouses on the A453 and the A38. They’re just popping up like mushrooms, and they’re massive. All this earth is being displaced. All this ecology is being displaced.”
Prompted by these observations, Usha questioned how developments like these might be reimagined for the future.
“I wanted to devise a creative call to action. Could they become part of the restoration solution within their infrastructures? Address energy capture through solar panels and water harvesting, address habitat loss through green roofing and interconnecting mini forests developed by Akira Miyawaki. The climate crisis needs creative solutions and collaborations across disciplines and industries.”
Through Terra Nova, Usha and Richard explored technologies including Gaussian splats, motion capture and generative AI, using experimentation and even some of the ‘glitches’ as creative prompts to develop immersive narratives around ecology, human health and the built environment.
It’s a team effort, alongside their collaboration with Albino mosquito, Iram Shaheen a VIP studio practitioner and XR developer has recently brought her skills to the cause.
“We’re excited to be sharing our ‘work in progress’ in a Research Sharing day at VIP studios, at Nottingham’s FutureProof2026 event and on a mini tour before seeking additional funding to develop Terra Nova towards a film.”
How has your practice developed in other areas?
Usha often responds to the world around her through residencies and public‑facing projects, this included a residency with Fabric, Nottingham’s dance agency, developed in response to post‑pandemic experiences of vulnerability and disconnection.
“People were struggling coming back into contact. I realised I had something I could offer here. It showed me I could really mix and match and draw on my diverse practice to bring a sense of ease, joy and belonging.”
What does the BioLeadership Fellowship mean to you?
The fellowship reflects Usha’s growing focus on systems change, leadership and regenerative thinking, building on the interdisciplinary foundations strengthened through CGN2. She is enterprisingly funding it though sponsorship in exchange for offering her skills.
“I am one of 50 fellows to be part of this unique international programme that runs from February to October 2026.”
“We need to move the equation towards regenerative rather than even sustainable. What totally inspires me about the Fellowship is it aims to put Earth at the centre of every sector of society – operating as a global mycelium on a mission to transform human systems to work with nature.
“I’m really looking forward to how this adventure will enrich and influence my directions. How the creative arts and cross sector collaboration can create new stories.”
Through Create Growth N2, Usha gained access to new technologies, collaborators and ways of thinking that enabled her to extend her long‑standing values into immersive, research‑led work. The programme acted as a catalyst for Terra Nova and continues to inform her evolving practice, reinforcing her belief that creativity, kindness and ecological awareness are essential to shaping a more regenerative future.
Find out more about Usha’s journey at: www.be-ingintouch.co.uk
