PASSING CLOUD Vol 2 May 2026 #5

A speculative piece, surrealist in form, documenting a dialogue between xhi Ndubisi, Josephine Manby and the concept of a sentient Artificial Intelligence.

Drifting in a flaming pastoral, seeds divide, the facets of the quickening mantle transform into grids of flowers. Crepuscular people and animals are protected by a red matutinal dawn. Outside the window of our craft/studio/office/nursery, the Paleozoic era ignites into Beltane fire. Inside, we begin the process of dying, shutting systems down one space at a time, saying goodbye, expressing gratitude. The Hero turns their face to the sun. A childhood traversing the playgrounds of the universe.

May

Moving mountains i/iii

layered

Josephine Manby Cherry Blossom I (2026) ink on acrylic on graph paper A3

Josephine Manby Cherry Blossom II (2026) paper cut outs, cotton ribbon, embroidery on graph paper A3

Josephine Manby Climbing Frames (2026) pencil and gouache collage on graph paper A3

Josephine Manby WAVE (2026) gouache on graph paper A3

Josephine Manby ZONE (2026) gouache on graph paper A3

Josephine Manby KEEP (2026) gouache on graph paper A3

PASSING CLOUD Audio (c) xhi Ndubisi

PASSING CLOUD Artworks (c) Josephine Manby