Hello, my name is Emma Reynard, and I am the artist who will be delivering a site-responsive project with the residents of New Bolsover.
The proposed artwork will eventually be printed onto a section of construction site hoarding, a small curved wall and several empty property security shutters. The work will express the project's aspirations for the area and will inform about the public about the significance of the area, creating a fresh response to marking this time in New Bolsover's storied history. The work will add a creative and positive aesthetic to the area during the development works.
The emphasis of this project is on engagement, with the resulting artwork being the culmination of the creative research and activities with the residents of 'The Model'.
I am aiming to work with the following groups:
- New Bolsover Primary School
- The Vale Care Home
- Heritage Crafts
- CVP training and Volunteering
- Local Residents
During the workshops I will be covering a set of themes, which I think are important to the area. These include:
The Local Heritage – The coal mining industry. This could be explored through conversation with residents (especially those who have had a direct link to the colliery). I would be interested in using first-hand accounts of experiences and memories to inspire the artwork. Looking at photographs, ephemera or objects linked to the site would also provide an essential resource material. It would be a wonderful opportunity to create a link with local museums and libraries as part of this project.
Garden City Lines – The layout of the land. Establishing an awareness with the residents at the importance of how and why The Model was designed employing the Garden City Lines concept. Inspiration could be taken from the remarkable architectural designs and patterns of the land.
Personal Memories and Anecdotes – Events, people and places. This would involve talking to people and collecting memories, either in the form of chat, written accounts, letters, photographs and old diaries. Encouraging residents to reminisce about events, people, and interesting little tales that only some people may know about the area.
Flora and Fauna – The natural landscape. Encouraging the residents to take a closer look at their surroundings. A workshop could include a walk, stopping to draw or photograph something that they hadn’t noticed before, such as a plant or insect. Looking at things from different angles and viewpoints. Research about the specimens could be recorded and incorporated into the artwork. It would also be fascinating to explore the allotments, which may encourage more people to ‘grow their own’.
Regeneration – Future aspirations. Documenting the physical restoration of the properties, focusing on ‘restoring’ and ‘preserving’. Questioning the residents about how they feel about where they live and also what their aspirations for the place are.
I envisage that the community workshops would investigate these suggested themes, and allow the participants to get involved creatively. It would then be my role as an artist to develop and interpret the work generated and produce a series of inspiring and thought-provoking illustrations that could be used for either the shutters, the hoardings or the curved wall banner.
It would be my intention to establish a visible and aesthetic link with the set of designs, such as the format, colour and style. I am keen for each design/illustration to contain a narrative or story, and to maintain a playful theme; the designs could take inspiration from the layout of playing cards or cards from well-known games. The familiarity would make the artwork welcoming and fun, encouraging interaction. This accessibility would play an important role in informing the viewer about the significance of the area and the essential regeneration.
I will be update the blog on a regular basis, to let everyone know what has been happening and to inform people of when the workshops will be taking place and what they will entail.
The community workshops will have a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, taking the form of discussion and consultation, reminiscence and hands-on creative activities. No previous art experience is necessary, and everyone is welcome to come along and have a go.
Over the next few weeks I will be beginning some initial research and organising workshops. I am looking forward to meeting everyone who will be part of this exciting project.
