He tells the group that he is an adoptee as well as an artist, and shows them some of his work and childhood photographs of his adopted and natural family. The group use disposable cameras, clay and scrap material. They never choose to take pictures of their parents - it's always the cat, friends and their bedrooms. We don't get them in and say 'We're going to tackle adoption'. We chat informally.
Adoption comes into the sessions from the beginning.
I might be asked where I was born. Some may tell me they're thinking of searching for their natural parents. Many of the young people choose to focus on identity. The idea is to unlock their creative potential. I can see there's a sense of alienation and low-self esteem.