Fabric of Place (2017-2019)
By
Chrysalis Arts Development
A photograph of ‘Coastal Coat and Catch', 2018, created by Joanne B Kaar for the Fabric of Place exhibition
Fabric of Place was a Slow Art artist-in-residence project, devised and produced by Chrysalis Arts as part of an evolving programme focusing on art, sustainability and place. The project explored new ways of working with artists and audiences in an isolated rural area.
It was based in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, particularly the village of Reeth and its surroundings, but encompassed a wider area of the upper Dales. It represented an ambitious attempt to explore the impact of a slower, more extended approach to art-making, public engagement and skills development within the framework of four artists’ residencies and a subsequent touring exhibition over a two-year period.
A key priority for Chrysalis Arts was to involve artists whose practice reflects original approaches to the creation of place-based work, bringing fresh ideas to exploring the unique Dales environment. Through this process, a further aim was to create the opportunity for local artists, as well as diverse audiences, to learn new skills, gain new insights and therefore contribute to an ongoing legacy.
The four residency artists were: Joanne B Kaar, Serena Partridge, Ed Kluz and Graham Taylor. The artists were required to create their own work in response to the project’s theme of ‘Outside In’, reflecting the landscape, people, heritage and culture of the area, and also to work with different community groups including families, children, young people, schools, adults and older people. Joanne B Kaar, who as lead artist, contributed to the initial development of the project, also worked with a group of local artists to make new work and develop new skills over an extended period. This group was composed of amateur and professional artists with an interest in traditional craft and textiles and produced a substantial body of work which was exhibited as part of the final touring exhibition.
The artists worked with themes and stories drawn directly from the immediate environment. For example, Joanne B Kaar researched the lichen of Swaledale, combining scientific observation and learning with the creative process ; Serena Partridge and a group of young people she worked with, used ultraviolet thread to create embroidery pieces which were exhibited in a tent in an installation inspired by the dark skies of Swaledale; Ed Kluz drew upon his interest in folklore to gather the stories and memories of older people and produced a fabric design based on their recordings with the printed cloth used to upholster a traditional lambing chair. Potter Graham Taylor developed a relationship with Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Archaeological Group and ran historical pottery workshops. Alongside the artists’ work with major groups such as Reeth Primary School, the project specifically targeted groups and individuals likely to be excluded from participation in the arts either through age or other factors.
Overall 324 people engaged in workshops, masterclasses, 1:1 sessions and talks. A Fabric of Place exhibition showcasing the work produced by the artists and participating groups opened at the Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes in October 2018 before touring to Keld Resource Centre and then Catterick Library in 2019. The exhibition was seen by 5471 people. Fabric of Place was funded by Chrysalis Arts Development, Arts Council England, North Yorkshire County Council’s Stronger Communities Programme and the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s Sustainable Development Programme.
“I particularly enjoyed finding out more about how an individual artist develops their work, the varied processes and thoughts that go into a work of art, community project or exhibition; and I appreciated the freedom to discover and develop my own thoughts, processes and skills.” Participant in Adult Makers Group “I found it stimulating, and a challenge, to be part of a project creating items for inclusion within a local exhibition, it was a great opportunity to come together and do something much bigger than our own individual output.” Pippa, Lead Artist participant “For such a small area this exhibition is remarkable, fascinating and inspired. So glad I got to see this, in this setting!”
To read the Fabric of Place project report, scroll the PDF below:
More information: https://www.chrysalisarts.com/projects/fabric-of-place
