Sutton St James Church, with tower and chancel but tree filled gap in the middle, demonstrates either a yearning for or the weirdness of social distancing? Both seem relevant observations as part of the work I’m developing with the village. I’ve been inviting people to gather “News from our now” : the sounds, smells, sights & soon to be forgottens: ‘contemporary collection of the intangible’. Which provides purpose for residents and I argue will make for fascinating consideration in a post lockdown future.
The Notice Board is still OPEN and is offering, instagrammers, dog walkers and hour exercisers a point of focus or provocations. As I aimed for it to be an action orientated project – this moment seems like it needs action. So I’ve shifted the timeline to make space for a show [May15 to June15] that responds to now, while still recognising its central Land of the Free theme. To apply please send 4 images and a very short reason to: kate@kategenever.com I can pay return postage, but sorry no show fee.
Part of the Consequences – drawing and talking project, moved online last night and given the project has always asked “What are the Consequences of not coming together?” this seems even more pressing than ever. With a workshop taking place on Zoom it’s an experiment and although we didn’t want things to be like this, we are in part enjoying the connection it brings. – seems Covid-19 wont stop us! For more information visit metalculture.com
I began initial conversations and ‘investigations’ in earnest yesterday in Sutton St James. What began as a chat over breakfast became a serious root around in several residents and community organisations archives. I was happy to meet many people trying to deal with or solve local issues of isolation and loneliness by themesleves. I applaud them for this there was Cheryl and her womens group, Sue and her outreach, Nigel with his crossroads lookout and Mr Steve and his free healing. However one man in particular stood out – Colin 84, who since his wife died and with support from a neighbour, has joined a knitting circle where he makes jumpers, He also opens his life to others from international communities, supports his family to engage in work for Red Cross in West Africa and travels regularly to Jamaica. This determination “to live”, as he puts it, is a reaction to this dealt hand – that of an “uneducated pig farmer” from the rural Fenlands. All of which made me reflect again on the role culture and ask how can the arts support this good work, meet people half way or do any better than whats already there? An Instagram feed of photos I’m taking across the project can be found here
Thank you to Haarlem Artspace who will be showcasing my prints and drawings at this years Print Fair at Nottingham Contemporary. If your interested please follow this link.
At last nights Consequences session this segment from The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath came up:I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned and winked. One fig was a husband and a happy home and children, and another fig was a famous poet and another fig was a brilliant professor, and another fig was Ee Gee, the amazing editor, and another fig was Europe and Africa and South America, and another fig was Constantin and Socrates and Attila and a pack of other lovers with queer names and offbeat professions, and another fig was an Olympic lady crew champion, and beyond and above these figs were many more figs I couldn’t quite make out. I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn’t make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet.” It was used as an anology in the consideration of being overwelmed and how this stalled us and made us sad – too many figs. The story was relevant too in describing life disappearing before our eyes, the unhealthy problems of comparision and the pressure many women are under to do and have everything [ahh the problems of the priviledged!]. However on reflection I asked if its not useful to let things fail, fall, drop and what might an alternative meaning or possibility be? What if there is good to come when collapse happens or we are truely without? Can the Consequences of wrinkled figs be positive?….It’s a pondering I continue to grapple with.
A new banner made by Metal Peterborough for the Consequences project now hangs on the outside of their building. My handwritten phrase, printed large, is a poignant comment on the way the women involved have used the sessions to discuss, challenge and reveal themselves. Often we hear comments like We never talk like this and I have found stuff out about these people that really deeepens our friendships and makes me think new things.
As I drove home from last nights Consequences session Radio 4 offered its usual wisdoms. A program called Class Talk discussed the need for the inclusion of people with related lived experiences in the structures of organisations and when constructing policy. It spoke of the benefits but also the uncomfortable conversations that will ensue. Uncomfortable – because of course stuff is said that is challenging and sad and unbelievable – hard to hear things that change us. Uncomfortable is how I’ve felt listening to many of the stories recounted by women across this project, but like the presenter on Radio 4 said uncomfortable is necessary – it impacts us. One woman wrote at the end of the session: “by listening I’ve learnt about myself and had to think more about what I believe” – I would go further and say its made me think more about what to do.
Across Peterborough the Consequences sessions continue to be amazing spaces for women to come together, to support each other, offer wisdoms, help and heal. But what’s also interesting is how these spaces challenge us too. Like many I’m often guilty of going to the same people and places to discuss ideas and get the expected affirmations reflected back. However during the sessions I keep being reminded how ridiculous that is and how we must keep trying to seek out and hear others.
Yesterdays sessions for Consequences at Metal Peterborough reinforced the importance of being heard, seen, complimented, encouraged and considered. These simple, but mostly not done actions, have huge impact. As evidenced in this quote by therapist L Seltzer: When complimented, we’re likely to glow internally. Approbation from others who we respect serves to verify our sense of inner worth. Such external approval is especially important for those still plagued by self-doubt. To feel favorably recognized wonderfully addresses one of our heart’s deepest desires. What helps us do this well in these sessions, I think, is the drawing. It enables much to said, shared and told; the activity draws our eyes to the work “in hand” letting our ability to listen, connect and support grow. Unlike art therapy this works intention is not to provide theraputic support – allthough it might happen, but rather provide a space for creativity to guide us into caring, reflective spaces and good conversation.
