Finding Home in the In-Between: How Culture Shaped My Creative Journey

Have you ever felt caught between worlds or even three? Like you’re straddling two cultures, two languages, two ways of seeing? Growing up, I felt like I was constantly navigating a cultural tightrope, belonging fully to neither side. I was born in London, UK and left when I was 9 years old. Lived in Sierra Leone till I was 15 years old. When it was time for me to go back to England, I went straight to Leeds, W. Yorkshire not London. By this time I knew the drill - get close to people, learn them - its their world not yours - you are leaving soon and when you do, keep it moving. I got back to London aged 17 years and in 2 years I was off to University in Liverpool, Merseyside near Wales - the opposite side to Leeds. Again not my world - someone else's world. A temporary stay to enjoy and learn. I had to adapt and blend in and learn everyone constantly. Nobody had to learn me. It was a lonely feeling, this in-between place. Its something I still struggle with to this day. I learn everyone but everyone learns me like an onion - it takes time, even though they think there is nothing else to know.

Nadia Maddy smiling at camera with waterbottle

But then, a revelation: This “double vision,” this ability to see through multiple cultural lenses, wasn’t a weakness; it was a source of immense creative power. It taught me that culture isn’t a dividing line; it’s a bridge connecting us to a vast landscape of ideas. I saw so many different perspectives on so many topics. I saw how complex and surprising the world can be. It kept me continuously curious. It's in the intersection of these diverse experiences that creativity finds its true voice. It allowed me to see the world in a way others couldn't, to appreciate the nuances and complexities of human experience.

In every creative pursuit—from painting to poetry to product design—I’ve discovered that culture is the lifeblood of innovation. It informs the narratives we tell, the relationships we build, and the very essence of our creative expression. Our work takes on a whole new dimension when it reflects the tapestry of our heritage, the stories woven into the fabric of our being.

For me, celebrating culture is about embracing the dynamic interplay of influences—where time-honoured traditions meet cutting-edge trends, where local roots reach out to global branches. This is where innovation sparks, where our creative voices find their resonance. this is where we find our power.

So, over to you, how has your cultural background shaped your perspective? What unique lens do you bring to your creative work?

Let's celebrate the kaleidoscope of our differences, the extraordinary creativity they unleash. Together, we can create a world that honours our past and boldly embraces the possibilities of the future