- Venue
- Suffolk Coastal Arts
- Location
- East England
The Sailors Path
Aldeburgh to Snape
The enjoyment of walking the Sailor’s Path begins before the first step with a picturesque journey through the Suffolk countryside to reach the small (very small) car park at the beginning of the path near Snape. Artist Jonathan Keep has carefully crafted artworks along this historical route taking inspiration/references from the landscape and the secrets it holds. Keep’s work is a part of Ebb and Flow, a cross disciplinary project to raise awareness of management of the environment and the global warming debate instigated and managed by Suffolk Coastal District Council. The Sailors Path artworks by Keep and local school children are key element within the project that visually evidence the historical, archaeological and environmental specialists’ involvement. An open day was held at the culmination of all the elements bringing together the archaeologist, artists, children and the general public.
The meandering Sailor’s Path, which takes you on a journey through wooded areas, past open fields, across water meadows, near to a ruined house and in sight of rare breed sheep, seeps history at every turn. Commencing the walk, the first piece by Keep imperceptibly enters one’s consciousness. A simple line of terracotta vessels stretching to the right and left of the path in a line indicating the direction of the ancient salt works to Saxon burial grounds. The cone shapes, initially placed at regular intervals, are reminiscent of an untidy line up of soldiers, as they have been moved and broken by sheep in the fields that border the path. These are terracotta vessels, some fashioned with the children from local primary schools but most made simply yet effectively by Jonathan’s hand. This is a beautiful piece, subtle – it invades the mind and stays with you. Eventually the terracotta will be absorbed back into the land as the material is broken down by the elements replicating the fate of the salt works.
Further on as the light levels drop and a canopy of leaves shades your course, a clearing in the trees reveals the second of Jonathan’s works – a tall, statuesque clay totem. Constructed from separate sections, the stack of pots represent the pottery style of different archaeological periods – Neolithic, Bronze, Iron, Romano and Saxon. In an illustration of time, the piece demonstrates changing fashions, a process continued by the gathering lichen and moss invading the clay exterior.
This work closely followed by a further totem from the same family, standing proudly on the opposite side of the path and then another, smaller this time standing alone further along the route. The latter seems a sadder, more solitary piece. This series of pieces, whilst accomplished in technique, are less rooted to the earth and so contradict the natural environment that surrounds them.
Approaching one hour into my meander, the last of Jonathan’s works is spied in the distance as you cross a footbridge to water meadows. What initially appears to be a single line of willow saplings, stretched across the boardwalk becomes, on closer inspection, a three dimensional sculpture of a Saxon boat reflecting the shape of an ancient ship burial excavated nearby. Markers placed horizontally are found to be plastic plant ties and the title of the piece tells us that their height represents the predicted water level in 2048. The local government decision not to maintain sea defences is keenly felt in the county. This work blends naturally into the landscape and yet delivers a powerful message in a direct and visual manner. There is a tension between the natural willow and the plastic plant ties as they move in the breeze belying their static roots.
This was a journey with a difference, the artworks offer more than quick distraction and give food for thought, and in the case of the first and last integrated completely into their setting whilst retaining an individual presence and a powerful message.
The 8km long Sailors Path is open until the summer of 2009, starting at Landranger TM401583.
More information can be found at www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourfreetime/arts/ebbandflow
http://www.keep-art.co.uk/residenc_ebb.htm
