You and I are tangled up together.

2021

You and I are tangled up together is the collective title for both the ceramic vessel, made in collaboration with Rob Bibby, and the unlimited editioned Invitation. These works along with the photobook I sleep in the bed I was born in and a series of small commissions are the summary of my research undertaken within the farming community in the rural neighbourhoods of Peterborough. This work, commissioned by Peterborough Cultural Strategy Group aimed to consider many of the city’s overlooked, marginalised or undervalued communities cultural contributions. The commission included me mentoring 6 artists to undertake explorations within their own networks and create bespoke artworks. All our works were showcased as large-scale vinyls in a Peterborough City Centre from late 2021.

The many handled, scratched, clay vessel speaks directly to the following list of collected words, captured during the conversations I had with people about their lives. The pot references funerary vessels, loving cups and water carriers which, like it, come truely alive in the hands of a collective. Making it therefore not a decorative item, rather a pragmatic working tool.

You and I are earth,
You and I are ancient,
You and I are invisible,
new-born,
rock,
frightened,
poor,
rich,
precarious,
here, confused, relevant, potent, broken, exhausted, rooted, sacred, silent, transient,
You and I are tangled up together.

The Invitations like the pot are propositional. Maybe even a challenge. That ask us to consider the relationships we hold with others, the past, present and so on. With them I imagined an event that brings people together from rural and urban settings to discuss our tangle and set effective plans. This came to fruition at Together we are powerful in 2023 where, with added gilding, the pot held centre stage, provoking a series of collaborations.

You and I are tangled up together.
Terracotta, Earthenware and slip.
48cm x 40cm

Invitation
Unlimited edition.
Embroidered ribbon, A6 deckled edge card, pencil and envelope

Thanks to
Rob Bibby
Dan Butt

Funded by
Peterborough Cultural Strategy Group

Supported by
Metal Peterborough.