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The MESKLA conversation considers issues of authenticity, fractured culture, colonialism, the links between identity, land and labour, indigeneity, language and intangible cultural heritage. With conversations expanding to connect to broader contexts - historically, nationally and globally.

The Rubbish Sculpture & Conversation workshops that are central to MESKLA also provide a methodology for the project and its research. Sculpture takes up space, and within MESKLA it becomes a physical place holder for Cornish identity and culture. The workshop conversations encourage open dialogue and listening, creating space for participants to be able to articulate their views, and consider different perspectives and experiences.

Through talking whilst making, participants are given an opportunity to access different modes of thinking, the variety and nature of the found and reclaimed materials used in the sculpture workshops inspires and challenges, much as the eclectic nature of each of our personal histories does. It is essential that participants are able to play freely without judgement, and the pace of the conversations is unhurried, to allow time to unpick areas that anyone might find uncomfortable. All making is powerful, having permission and opportunity to be creative with no direct instruction reinforces that all voices, views and experiences are important.