Black Country Digital Firsts: Introducing Karen Garland
This profile is part of our Meet the Next Cohort series which introduces the artists and collectives selected for the second round of Black Country Digital Firsts. Each participant is exploring bold digital ideas that push creative boundaries and expand access to culture in the region.
Introducing: Karen Garland
Karen Garland is developing an ambitious digital project that uses collage, portable scanning, sound, and projection mapping to transform public and cultural spaces across the Black Country. Building on the region’s industrial heritage and everyday stories, she is creating immersive visual experiences that connect past and present through light, movement and sound.
What inspired you to apply for Black Country Digital Firsts and how did you hope it would impact your creative practice?
I was inspired to apply for Black Country Digital Firsts by my desire to explore the past, reflect on the present, and imagine the future through the lens of digital art. The programme’s emphasis on innovation and community engagement resonated deeply with my belief that “the future is to be found in the past.” I saw this as an opportunity to develop my skills in projection mapping - an art form that can transform ordinary spaces into immersive, thought-provoking experiences. I hoped the programme would help me expand the digital dimension of my creative practice, connect with other artists, and gain valuable mentorship to refine and realise my ideas at a larger, more impactful scale.
Can you share a little about the project you are working on and why you feel it is particularly bold or imaginative?
The project focuses on using digital collage, portable scanning and projection mapping to transform public and cultural spaces across the Black Country, turning buildings, landmarks, museums, and smaller venues into dynamic canvases of light, sound, and movement. The concept of “Black by day, red by night” captures the region’s industrial legacy and creative spirit, reimagined through digital storytelling. By combining gorilla projection mapping with sound, video, and photography, I aim to create immersive environments that connect past and present, offering new ways for communities to experience familiar spaces. The project is delusional in its ambition, compared to the digital skills that I am initially starting with. I am working towards merging technology, history, and emotion, while inviting collaboration through eavesdropping, stealing and sharing conversations and stories.
How do you believe fostering digital creativity can contribute to the cultural landscape of the Black Country?
Fostering digital creativity in the Black Country can illuminate the region’s hidden stories, bus stop gossip and sometimes bleak, everyday fairytales, in fresh and accessible ways. The integration of digital media into artistic practice allows for new forms of storytelling, connecting younger audiences and engaging communities who may not traditionally visit galleries. By supporting artists to experiment with technology, the region can develop a stronger digital culture that reflects its innovation, resilience, and identity. It also ensures that the Black Country’s creative scene evolves with the times, bridging its industrial heritage with a forward-looking digital future.
What has been the most valuable lesson or insight you have gained from the mentoring and advice sessions?
The most valuable insight has been recognising that digital art is as much about collaboration, as it is about technology and mastery of it. Through mentoring, I’ve learned to approach projection mapping not just as a technical process, but as a storytelling tool that can evoke emotion and connection. The guidance has encouraged me to be bolder in my experimentation, seeing technology as a medium to amplify meaning rather than as an end in itself. I’ve also gained practical knowledge in managing digital projects, pushing my own abilities, and testing the old dog new trick theory, which has strengthened my confidence to take on ambitious work.
In what ways do you think Black Country Digital Firsts can amplify diverse voices and perspectives within the Black Country?
Black Country Digital Firsts creates a platform for artists from different backgrounds and disciplines to share their stories using digital tools that transcend traditional barriers. By supporting a variety of voices, the programme celebrates the region’s cultural diversity and lived experiences. Digital art, with its accessibility and adaptability, provides opportunities for underrepresented communities to tell “untold stories”, the street gossip, overheard conversations, and unimagined fairy tales that shape our collective identity. By nurturing these perspectives, the programme strengthens cultural inclusivity and representation across the region.
How do you now envision the role of technology in enhancing your creative practice going forward?
Technology has become an integral part of how I think and create. I now see it not as a separate discipline, but as a natural extension of artistic expression - capable of transforming how audiences experience art. Going forward, I plan to use projection mapping, and interactive installations to create multi-sensory works that connect people with place and memory. I also hope to continue collaborating with digital artists, technologists, and local communities to push the boundaries of what immersive art can achieve. It scares me, but I feel it is important to my practice.
What advice would you give to other creatives in the region who are considering applying for funding and support?
My advice would be to approach the opportunity with curiosity and courage. Don’t be afraid to experiment or step outside your comfort zone, funding programmes like Black Country Digital Firsts are designed to support exploration and risk-taking. Be clear about what you want to learn as well as what you want to create and show how your work connects to the community around you. Collaboration is key - seek out mentors and peers who challenge and inspire you. Most importantly, trust your creative instincts and let your ideas evolve through the process.
Black Country Digital Firsts is a unique partnership between Creative Black Country and The Space that aims to build digital creative confidence, inspire excellence in the area, foster digital creativity, commission artists, and offer creative support via mentoring and advice sessions.