H A L T W H I S T L E R E S I D E N C Y - E A R T H M O T H E R B A N N E R
OVERVIEW
words words words
WORKSHOP ONE (May) - STORIES AND COLLAGE
The first preliminary workshops saw a fantastic collection of humans from all walks of life passed through the door, full of good vibes, interesting conversations and creative pizzazz.
This collage workshop was intended to start collecting stories, folklore and legends of Haltwhistle ~ and everyone had some funny, spooky, surprising and charming tales and information, of which I’m very very appreciative for their time and brains!
WORKSHOP TWO (July) - PRINTMAKING FOLKLORE
A free print making workshop in the centre of Haltwhistle, the second of my prep sessions as part of my residency at the shelter.
A great mixture of people of all ages came through the door and tried their hand at the dibble dobbble printing sponge. Some folk walk ins off the street and others wonderfully traveling in to get involved.
Community, creativity and conversation felt vibrant - and hopefully people left feeling more confident about approaching DIY print making too.
The visuals were inspired by the first workshop, where a passion for flora and fauna shone through. I loved seeing how everyone experimented with the stencils and also created their own designs!!
RESIDENCY (August) - research and making
part one : explore / absorb / ponder / converse / time travel.
Elements seen include • Mare & Foal standing stones • Vindolanda Roman site and museum treasures • Haltwhistle Burn • Holy Cross Church • Field Shelter’s golden field.
And then also some sketchbook bits … a ditty about industry and a token from meeting a hare (by the standing stones!).
part two: collect / vessel /distill / apply / revere.
Placing all my found elements together towards the banner ceremony taking place tonight as the full moon approaches. Here’s a bit of spiel about it….
Physically - a hand painted banner with its connecting cord featuring the community prints made in my second residency preparatory workshop.
5 small poems documenting the history of Haltwhistle, and how the use of nature has influenced this, which shall act as stopping posts of reflection along the nature walk of the burn. An opening and closing small ceremony shall activate the work and bookend proceedings.
Elements included in the banner :
mill wheel icon
fossilisation as fuel
studio spider - powerful women
Earth Mother provides
the mighty burn itself underpinning everything
old local church font visage
quoits and community
ancient flora and fauna
from natural resources we can make industry
Romans and concept of invasion
holding a loft in reverence
Earth Mother as vessel or relic
RESIDENCY - community interaction
part three : engage / community / action / install / move.
What an absolutely delightful evening spent leading our banner ceremony and nature walk. What an honour to receive an intimate group who brought a lovely warm energy to proceeding as well as lots of interesting local knowledge and nature appreciation.
With ceremony at the start and beginning we pootled through the burn, stopping for my dittys, noticing nature (some major tree shout outs) and to discuss all that is magical.
The banner, book of poetry and workshop bunting is now on display in the window of the wonderful Haltwhistle Film Project, overlooking the market square. This will be part of the Hadrian’s Art Trail - which sees great art in interesting spaces along the wall.