Artist in Residence at QCPS

Queen’s College Preparatory School is delighted to welcome Dr Joana Monteiro as Artist in Residence during Summer Term of 2026. Dr Monteiro is a socially engaged designer and researcher who recently completed her PhD at London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, and brings a practice rooted in collaboration, creativity and social impact.

Celebrating House identities through textile design
During her month-long residency, Dr Monteiro is working with pupils to design and create a series of textile banners representing the school’s houses. Each house is named after a significant historical woman who has championed human and women’s rights, and the banners will celebrate their legacies, values and achievements.

Drawing inspiration from the visual language of suffragette banners, the project invites pupils to explore how textiles can be used to express identity, voice and shared purpose. Through hands-on workshops, pupils are engaging in the full creative process, from concept and design to making, using a range of fabric-based techniques.

A creative approach rooted in community and sustainability
At the heart of Dr Monteiro’s work is a belief in the power of creativity to bring people together and foster meaningful change. “I like to bring people together around creative practices,” she explains, “and see how that can create positive change around us.”

Her approach is informed by values often associated with feminism, including care, empathy and equality. While her practice incorporates environmentally conscious methods, such as reusing and upcycling materials, her primary focus is on how creative collaboration can amplify voices and build community.

Sustainability also plays a key role in the project. Pupils are working with donated and repurposed fabrics, including materials provided by families and contributions from Minerva Fabrics. “There’s enough material in the world for us to be doing all of this instead of making new,” Dr Monteiro notes, highlighting the importance of reducing waste and rethinking consumption within the fashion industry.

Building Confidence, Voice and a Sense of Agency
Beyond developing practical skills, the residency is designed to leave a lasting impression on pupils’ confidence and sense of agency. By working together to create something meaningful, pupils are encouraged to take pride in their ideas and feel empowered to express themselves.

“I hope they feel proud about what they’re making and gain confidence in their own voices,” says Dr Monteiro. “It’s about understanding that they can contribute to positive change in the world, guided by values of kindness, equality, curiosity and care.”

The finished banners will stand as vibrant symbols of both the school’s house identities and the collective effort behind them, reflecting not only historical inspiration, but the voices and creativity of the pupils themselves.