In 2022, Dr Jieun Kim (or Jini, who is a researcher at University of Leeds) invited Leigh to join her research in the symbolism and gift of blood donation in South Korea and Japan. Jini found Leigh’s work through a 2021 blood themed exhibition at Thackray Museum of Medicine for Periods: A Brief Jaunt Up North. This led to the discovery that not only was there a blood bag themed project already out there, and it was also based in Leeds!
Since connecting, Jini and Leigh have been working together to develop workshops that help participants share their experiences with blood donation. These were carried out in the summer of 2024 in Seoul, South Korea and Kyoto, Japan. The outcome of the workshops will be shared at Thackray Museum of Medicine’s 2025 exhibition about Blood – a full circle moment!
Seoul, South Korea
The workshop in Seoul was kindly hosted by KLPO, Korea Leukemia Patients Organisation.
“The whole experience is something I will remember and be appreciative of for a very long time. The open, honest and vulnerable sharing of stories, particularly at the Seoul workshop, was an experience I will always be extremely grateful for. Whilst most workshops I run based on Blood Bags is similar to that of the Kyoto workshop (i.e. People learning about blood donation and reasons people might receive transfusions), the KLPO workshop showed me firsthand the importance of working directly with patient groups; that people need to make connections with others who understand them and the things they have been through, and that the craft was just a small part of the vehicle for this sharing. Being able to connect with people through craft is the reason I love the work that I do. Doing this with groups of people who speak another language and have different experiences to me have proven this to me even more, as it demonstrated to me first hand that craft, and in this particular case textiles, can connect people despite a range of barriers.” – Leigh
Kyoto, Japan
The Kyoto workshop was organised by Professor Kozai and was held at Bukkyo University’s Nijo Campus.
“Professor Kozai had recruited students and friends to join the workshop, some of whom had connections with blood donation, but most of whom did not. Most expressed their reason for attending being that they were keen to learn something new. One student said a friend of theirs had to have regular blood transfusions, so they had been inspired by them to attend to learn more!” – Leigh
You can read a more in depth blog about this experience over on the Hematopolitics website.
Jini and Leigh will continue to work together throughout 2025 to develop an e-book for children all about blood donation.
The Blood Bag Project 