Today was the last day of this wonderful 12-week project. I
always find the last day of a project charged with mixed emotions; a sense of
achievement, celebration in creating work and making new relationships,
reflecting on discoveries and surprises and yet mixed in with a smidge of
sadness about something great coming to an end.
The ladies have been absolutely brilliant, they have been so
focussed and come each week with a keenness to learn something new as well as
listen and learn from each other. They have very supportive and encouraging of
each other, on occasions when some of us felt vulnerable or unsure.
With it being the final session, there were many tasks we
needed to get through; evaluating and reflecting, capturing voice recordings,
finishing our final pieces, gathering ideas for future projects and (the best
bit) a celebration with homemade food each of us prepared.
The ladies thought carefully about what sound they wanted to
go inside their story boxes. We practised fitting our singing, reciting or
speaking into 10 seconds – a challenge! With the sound device we recorded
everybody and then slipped the sound into our story boxes, ready for somebody
else to put up to their ears and listen. I love how the decorated boxes (which we
created on the very first session) and the sound (which we recorded on our last
session) has been united together fnally. Each box represents them and offers a
small insight into their personality. They are all so unique and I think the
women were very brave to share a little bit of them.
Sharon spoke the first line of a sikh mool mantar prayer,
which she dedicated to her granddaughter, because it carries an important life
message for her to learn. Sharon repeats this mantra each morning after she
wakes up.
Yvonne sang a captivating part of gospel song she wrote
herself. The song was inspired by a faith discussion she had had with her
family one day. The words were very powerful and we all found ourselves humming
along to the tune.
Wendy recited part of a poem she had remembered during the course
of the project, triggered by the making of her story box when she drew a lovely
illustration of a magpie on the top of the box. The poem was written by John
Donn, an Elizabethan poet. “Such a surprising heavenly jest, a wagtail in a
magpie nest”
Balwinder sang a gentle sounding sikh hyme. The words
translating to “Whatever you will ask from God, he will give you” Her mother
taught her when she was a young girl.
Whilst our voices were captured, our fingers busily rolled,
fulled, pinned, tacked and sewed our felted and batik beauties onto the
banners, ready for myself and Musarat to assemble for the exhibition.
The open exhibition of the all the work will be held at
Artlink on Wednesday 10th July, amongst many other artworks created during
other Artlink Open Door projects. I really look forward to seeing the reactions
from the participants’ friends and families when they come to share their work.
We’ve been planning the event with other Artlink artists and coordinators,
which is shaping up to be a fabulous celebration and sharing of all som much
creativity, imagination and bravery.
Well done everybody and thank you for making this project
happen! The project has inspired and motivated us, as proven by some lovely
quotes here:
“I really enjoyed every minute of this project. It has been
a pleasure.”
“Brilliant tutors! I have learned a lot and really enjoyed
the company!”
“I have made new friends and enjoyed the company of others.
The staff have been very kind and are wonderful people. “
“Thank you for your kindness and patience. Thank you for
sharing your skills with me.”
“It’s been great to get out of the house and make new
friends, I appreciate this when I live on my own. I have improved my manual
skills and my ability to be patient with others and work in a large group.”
Here is a picture of the tasty food we munched on; spring
rolls, pakoras, samosas, cheese straws, jerk chicken. A delicious spread!
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