Studio 2 Kings Mews is a creative wellness and movement space. Can you tell us a little about this and what it means?
Studio 2 Kings Mews is a space dedicated to movement, creativity, and community. It was designed by local professional dance artist Lee Smikle to feel both calm and energizing. A place where people can explore movement, creativity, and connection without pressure or pretence. Lee hopes the studio will bring together professional practice and grassroots creativity, hosting everything from contemporary dance and choreography to breath work, workshops, and artist residencies. It’s a home for experimentation and play as much as it is a home for people; a place where ideas can be tried, shaped, shared, and held.

What is your connection with dance – are you also a dancer?
Xin: I have always loved dance. I did contemporary dance with Lee, and my daughter has danced with Lee for many years as well. I danced when I was young in school, and the feeling of moving with music has always lived in my body. Even now, I get tingling sensations when I watch dance performances — the emotion communicated through the body moves me deeply.

For me, there are many connections between artists and dancers. We are all dedicated to our passion; we practice daily, and through hard work and commitment we gain the freedom to create and express ourselves more fully. I may not be a dancer now, but the dancer within me is still very much alive.

It has been especially meaningful to see my daughter, who is part of SYD, and her friends bring another dimension to the exhibition. Their movement reveals new layers within the work and the space, adding a sense of life, presence, and discovery that I could never have created on my own.

Would you like to tell us about your own practice and how your work resonates with Studio 2’s mission?
Xin: Studio 2 is a space for nurturing creativity and wellbeing through art and movement.

My new collection, Forgiving Lines, is inspired by dancers and human emotion. My main medium is black ink. Once ink touches the paper, there is no undo button, I have to trust my movement, my instinct, and find a way to make every unforgiving line work.

This feels very connected to life. We all experience unforgiving moments, things we wish we hadn’t said, or difficult times we must move through. Through this collection, I hope to show that we can shape these moments into something meaningful and positive if we accept them and keep trying.

Would you like to tell us about some of the performances that will be happening during the Open Houses weekends?
Choreographed by Lee Smikle, in collaboration with his SYD | Smikle Youth Dance Company, an intimate performance piece is presented that responds to the textures, forms, and emotions within the exhibition, almost like the dancers are in dialogue with the artwork.

Lee says, “For me it was important that the movement be subtle, human, and responsive rather than traditionally “performative.” An opportunity for my young dancers and audience to explore and enjoy dance in a different communal experience. The performance is crafted to feel woven into the exhibition rather than separate from it, allowing visitors to experience the space in an immersive, multisensory way. Performances take place at 2pm on Saturdays during the AOH.

Will there be any workshops visitors can take part in?
Yes, we’ll be offering small, accessible movement workshops for visitors who’d like to experience the creative process themselves. These won’t require any dance experience; they’re more about curiosity, play, and gentle exploration. Participants will be guided through short tasks inspired by the artwork, things like exploring texture through gesture, responding to shape through movement, or finding stillness and breath within the space. It’s a lovely opportunity to engage physically with the exhibition and discover your own creative instincts.

For full details and workshop times, please visit the Artist Open House event page or www.studio2kingsmews.com.

Have you ever taken part in the Artists Open Houses previously?
This is our first time taking part in AOH at Studio 2, which makes it feel especially exciting. In fact, it’s our very first event! It’s a wonderful platform for artists working across disciplines, and we’re thrilled to be opening our doors to a wider community. Bringing movement into an Open House setting feels like a fresh way of expanding what these events can offer.

Artist Xin has participated in AOH many times in different events, such as New England House once it was the wonderful creative hubs, and Sea Lanes in spring 2025.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
Lee: “I’d love visitors to know that Studio 2 Kings Mews is intended to be a space of welcome. My hope has always been that whether you come for the exhibition, the performances, a workshop, or simply to soak in the atmosphere, you leave feeling a little more grounded, inspired, or connected than when you arrived.”

Like my vision for Studio 2, this exhibition is rooted in collaboration between visual art, movement, environment, and the people who experience it. It has been a joy to collaborate with Xin Harper-Little as the very first artist to exhibit in the space, and with Elen, whose thoughtful curation has shaped the exhibition so beautifully. We’re genuinely excited to share this experience with everyone who walks through the door.

Visit Studio 2 Kings Mews
2 Kings Mews, Hove, BN3 2PA

www.studio2kingsmews.com
www.instagram.com/xharperlittle_art
www.instagram.com/studio2_kingsmews/