In the absence of a studio space in Medway, Filaments Art Collective took to the streets for their contribution to Medway Open Studios 2024. Each artist designed their own trolley in response to personal narratives ranging from female empowerment, sense of place and wildlife conservation concerns. The trolley performance took place on the streets of old Chatham during the weekend of 13/14 July.
I created a Croque-en-bird-bouche to highlight the plight of song birds in those countries where they are eaten as a delicacy, threatening their population.
Every few years, birds of the UK, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are assessed and placed into one of three categories of concern, with red being those identified as in most urgent need of help. The latest figures highlight 70 species of birds on the Red List.
The Red List is a site-responsive installation consisting of 70 small birds sewn using hi-vis fabric. Exhibited in 3 locations:
Light and Thread, St George’s Art Centre, Gravesend in 2021
Midwinter Night’s Camp for Glow Arts Light Trail, Maidstone - 2022
Whose Hoo Heritage Festival, Slough Fort, Hoo Peninsula - 2023 (accompanied by a soundscape of bird song recorded on the Hoo Peninsula)
To mark the summer solstice Filaments Art Collective transformed the historic church of St Mary’s at Burham into a celebration of midsummer. Suspended insulation blankets filled the church with gold and silver marking the transition from the longest day to the longest night of the year.
We invited members of the public to participate in a cyanotype workshop, creating prints using the flora from the churchyard and developed using UV rays from the sun.
A selection of work made for the Filaments Art Collective show held at the ancient church of St Mary’s, Burham in October 2021.
This project was supported by a National Lottery grant from the Arts Council
