Sappleton’s practice is grounded in the use of found imagery, shaped by an early reliance on fashion and lifestyle publications as source material. Over time, she became increasingly aware of the limited representation of racialised communities, particularly Black and Brown women, within these pages.

This awareness led to the development of Scan/Exchange (2017), a project rooted in engaging with the personal archives, initially, women of Afro-Caribbean heritage, which has now grown to encompass a diverse range of communities.

The project was developed with two key intentions: to work with these images within Sappleton’s broader practice and to support their care and preservation, enabling families to retain, revisit and share their visual histories across generations.

Through a range of commissions, including work with communities connected to Great Ormond Street Hospital, Sutton House and South London Gallery, the project has engaged participants across a wide spectrum of ages, ethnicities and socioeconomic contexts. The methods of exchange continue to shift, allowing each iteration to respond to its specific setting and participants.

For further information and images, visit the Commissions page.