For my MA final major project, I created a 96-page graphic novel named Shelter. This traditionally painted book follows a surveyor tasked with assessing Woodside, an abandoned psychiatric hospital slated for redevelopment. Initially perceived as unsafe, neglected, and without value, the structure gradually reveals itself as a thriving habitat supporting diverse forms of life. Exploring how visual storytelling can challenge representations of derelict structures and support ecological values, Shelter was produced entirely sustainably, using plant-based acrylics and bamboo paper for the illustrations and recycled paper and canvas for printing.

Through observational storytelling and detailed illustrations, Shelter invites readers to reconsider the assumptions often attached to abandoned spaces. Rather than portraying derelict environments as symbols of decay, the project explores their potential to become places of refuge, resilience, and ecological significance. The project also considers how prolonged periods between abandonment and redevelopment can unintentionally create valuable wildlife habitats within deteriorating buildings. While these structures may become important refuges for species such as bats and birds, their ageing materials and unstable condition can pose significant risks, highlighting the need for more thoughtful approaches to site management and conservation.