So, it’s all been very busy and rather frenetic recently. Almost unbelievable news about the funding which has given me such a boost but also means it’s all very serious now – such a responsibility! The residency at the Local Gallery was brilliant for raising awareness about the project as well as showcasing the work in progress. ‘Map-Me’ the mapping activity did the job of allowing people to really engage with the geography of the area on a surface which they could touch before they went to closely inspect the work itself. Interestingly, although I sited the ‘Map-Me’ map North to South and the work’s map is rotated by 45 degrees nobody seemed to have a problem repositioning themselves between one and the other.
Attached are images of the work so far with rather striking lighting at the Local Gallery and some details of small cut images from around N10 that I have put into the work.
Mapping Muswell – An N10 Paper Project is now Supported by The Arts Council for England and recieves Lottery funding! Hurrah!
Over the weekend I held the first residency for the project at the Local Gallery in Muswell Hill. Nesteling in the heart of Muswell Hill on a small street with studios and vintage shops this new gallery space specialises in supporting Local artists and their projects and so was very appropriate. We had a range of visitors of different ages and expectations and the result was an exciting and engaging mapping acitivity. As a trial for my longer residency at Muswell Hill Library in the summer it was very useful, and has given me something to reflect upon in terms of how I might improve the experience for visitors. The work itself is developing and thanks to some brilliant paper donations is becoming more reflective of the diverse community who live in N10.
As my resisidency approaches I realise that a commitment needs to be made.
So far I have been taping the work together. Just little bits of tacky masking tape holding the whole 180cm wide structure together. Every trip to the shed is an excercise in hope over experience!
Fortunately I have been lucky barring a few early mishaps and everything has remained pretty much where it should be but I’ll have to get the glue out soon.
My feelings about the project have plateaud a little too- it is a constant struggle to get the community involved and aware of the work. On the whole, people respond really favourably to the whole idea and then (understandably) wander off and forget all about it. That is one of the great hardships as far as I can see about being an artist: what is so incredibly important to you is merely a diversion for others.
Hoping tomorrow brings me renewed vigour!
Residency with the fabulous ‘Mapping Muswell An N10 Paper Project’ at the Local gallery 18th -20th May.
