WORKSHOPS
Each exhibition has a programme of creative activity leading up to it; to include people in the coproduction process and ensure we understand, connect with and represent voices and experiences from a diverse range of people. One of the regular activities is a weekly drop in, artist led workshop called ‘Make it Yours’. These workshops moved from on site to online during Covid 19 restrictions, with a gorgeous pack of materials posted out to participants. Here are a sample of wonderful people making the museum theirs. Connection, creativity and conversation #MakeItYours
A digital workshop with Panya the Poet, took our two questions about creativity as a starting point and moved on to a sequence of poetic exercises using the works in the exhibition as a stimulus.
Mary The pigeon I like pigeons. They carry letters, herald fog, colour streets. Looking to the future with hope uncertainty taking flight Peaceful night dove fades into night clouds I’ve spread my wings, willing to take a new flight Flight or Fight or Food on the run? Blue flight of fear out of the blue escaping flight of searching
The Green Rabbit The feeling of elation telling me spring and summer is here spring jaunt Between the green. That’s where I’ll be seen! self contained rabbit. drawn into itself the grass is a playground I’ll hide a little longer Home lost in the green deep down Lonely and vulnerable in a dark place Run Rabbit Run Rabbit, run, run ,run. How wonderful to see a rabbit scurrying around in the green grass
The Billiard Player Nothing has a shape in the creative world! boozy aim My eye is about to bleed distorted? perspective of a pool ball.the world is round Grey rain, scratchy carpets, smell of kitchens, turn up heating Pocket what you can. setting sights for trouble I escape in the folds of reality Bull’s eye out of the panopticon Playing a game of pools gives me a winning streak
The Banana Phone Eat a banana a day to build up your energy I see into your soul calling all the awkwards.. Hey! No-ones answering the banaphone today Is anybody out there listening? They were calling again - bad news like always, he knew Hello Who’s there? No one’s at home Berry phone eyes How wonderful to see a rabbit scurrying around in the green grass
Facing Forward but Looking Backward When we look back on the life we’ve had, over the past year many things has happened to us, frightening and detrimental, go forward and let go of the past. Death of my three brothers, a niece and Covid 19, I close the door behind me. With the overwhelming loss and anger be positive, go forward and let go of the past. All we have is now, life is short tomorrow is not promised. With the emergence of computers the landscape of the world is constantly changing, go forward and let go of the past. Utilise time to learn new things, self defeating thoughts can overpower us, rob us of our time, peace, joy, mentality and ultimately life, go forward and let go of the past. Don’t think into endless backward failures, disappointments stress and anger. We must shift our mind set to change our lives. It is opportune time, go forward and let go of the past. Nothing is truly private, with the emergence of technology our names, telephone numbers, address, and age, on social are public, go forward and let go of the past. Now is the time the fiercest and most ruthless conflict resides in the battlefield of the mind, don’t allow them to succeed, go forward and let go of the past. Victoria Williams
Images on the Landscape Listen, listen to the beautiful blue bird swooping through the air, a vivid sight as beautiful as stars in the sky singing melodious songs Joy to see the little rabbit hopping in the grass having fun in the beautiful spring sunshine Throw him a banana to build up his energy as he scurried around searching for food whilst waiting for his friends After lockdown how refreshing to see folks in the recreation centre playing pool and revelling with their friends.
Use your voice with Clare Taylor
Styrene press with Paul Henegan