Out-casted/Re-casted: Towards a Lexicon for Restorative Artmaking and Co-creation

Clair Aldington’s doctoral research is broadly about the role of making, gifting and co-creation within Restorative Justice processes. Within that, more narrowly, the research is focussing on Interaction Ritual as applied to Restorative Justice (Collins, 2004; Rossner, 2013) and whether or not a gifted co-created artefact could become an object symbol of solidarity, and in so doing, maintain the positive emotional energy generated by a Restorative Justice encounter. This paper highlights the complexities and confusion around the understanding and usage of the word “solidarity” in this particular context and offers a working research definition and understanding for its use within Restorative Justice. Additionally, the paper attempts to address the confusion of language around Restorative Justice, and suggests the need for a “Lexicon of Restorative Artmaking and Co-Creation” utilising words gathered with research participants. Drawing on initial findings from a research case study, it is posited that there is a potential role for the co-created artefact in changing the feelings of a participant in a Restorative Justice process from out-casted to re-casted within their community.