NOVEMBER 2018: PAGES OF THE SEA, SEACHANGE ARTS – GORLESTON-ON-SEA & GREAT YARMOUTH, NORFOLK

In the lead up to the anniversary of 100 years since the end of WW1, I was commissioned as an artist as part of SeaChange Arts‘ 14-18 NOW ‘Pages of the Sea’ project. 14-18 NOW is a five-year programme of extraordinary arts experiences connecting people with the First World War, and Pages of the Sea is an arts project led by director Danny Boyle. The main event took place on Armistice Day, Sunday 11th November, at beaches around the UK.

I worked with community groups to reminisce, share local stories, talk about the impact of war on communities and make creative responses. This included reminiscence with archival photos at Acorn Centre, Great Yarmouth; collaborating with residents/service users of Herring House Trust, Great Yarmouth to create textile banners with Carol Ann Duffy’s specially commissioned poem; and running a printed poppy art-making workshop with a group of 5-7+ year old Rainbows.

I also designed and made a series of textile banners, inspired by military medals.

On Sunday 11th November, the community-made responses were part of a memorial art service with beach art, poem readings and music on Gorleston beach.