This socially engaged art piece and poem from Ruthie Collins and friends features beautiful butterflies made with children in Norfolk and objects inspired by movement, in heritage and nature – across the elements, from water to air – including a book published during World War II Kitty Come Home, narrating the journey of children traveling to Britain across water to escape the Nazis.

Presented as part of Platforma 2025, co-commissioned and produced by Counterpoints Arts

For this project Children in Norfolk explored iconic British butterflies that travel to the UK including the Red Admiral and what flowers to plant to help restore them. You can also plant butterfly friendly flower seeds as part of the piece and an ongoing project to help restore biodiversity locally in Norfolk and encourage connection to the landscape.

The art piece also includes a poem written by Ruthie Collins inspired by the need for child wellbeing in current times – conversation with a child talking about missing family, estranged by war. Selected words from the poem have been put to electronica especially for Plaforma – listen and enjoy The Butterfly Effect (A Call for Peace) which will be shared as part of the festival.

More information on how to pick up your seeds and where to read or listen to the track, will be shared later in October.

Ruthie Collins is an award winning writer and artist based in East Anglia.