Sharing artists/makers' work here and in Minecraft Wisbech!
Gathering of the Harvest, near Glinton, Peterborough, acrylic. I took up painting in 1998 and have been successful in selling a few paintings during the years. I was originally brought up in the village of Murrow, Nr. Wisbech. I have always loved art and during …
A beautifully created nature collage using materials found on a walk to illustrate that walk and the Fens.
From Lesley Allen, the creator:
My version of Holme Fen – re-created by debris found on the woodland floor at Holme Fen. The toadstools are acorn cups cut and painted by me. I really enjoyed the whole process from going for a walk, collecting bits and bobs, pressing and drying, arranging and finally taking the photograph! It’s my kinda thing I like to do, especially as times are at the moment.
Walking home at night as Autumn turns to Winter, the colder evenings are bringing mists and giving us opportunities for some atmospheric photography. From our contributor: “I like a depth of field that puts areas out of focus where possible, as narrow as I can. …
A Linocut printmaker from Ramsey, Vivien has been inspired by Fenland Fauna (and a beautiful Giraffe!) and has produced these during lockdown. Featured Image: Pheasant hand coloured Linoprint “I love the vibrancy watercolour brings to this handsome fellow.” Vivien tells us: “I am a Linocut …
By Jayne Ross ‘Stygian’ “The sinister river Styx, where the ferryman waits to transport the souls of the dead to the underworld”
Anita has been out and about again and shared her new photos with us! Look at those Fenland Skies!
I’m a Peterborough based artist and work from my garden studio at home. I mainly create abstract work but also love to paint seascapes. I work in acrylics, mixed media, and oils. When I can’t be in the studio I turn to creating digital work. …
My name is Julie Baker and I live in Sutton, a village on the edge of Sutton Gault and the Washes, an area of fen which is allowed to flood throughout the winter months. This landscape is the inspiration for my gouache paintings which are …
See Paul’s page for more about his work and inspiration. We loved the colour in this piece and it shows really well the contrast between the creative use of the digital art of Minecraft and the hand made art of working with glass.
Local people should be able to work out where this one is! A piece of work by one of our Inspiration contributors, it is a little hidden away.
Many of our contributed poems have had a square produced for them – a quote from the poem to help us share more easily on social media but also so we can display them in the game. This one is at the start of the …
Wanting to do some creative thinking during lockdown, the idea of woodland in summer, goddesses protecting us and other, perhaps fanciful, but needed stories and inspirations, produced these goddesses. In the Steiner style with no faces (so you can project your own thoughts and expressions) one was made for myself, then one for a friend who is leaving the country.
See more of Brandon’s work on the website here and when you’re in the map, take a walk down North Brink until you get to Peckover House and see it in the Minecraft form as well as illustrated.
Natalia Shlyapina is a floral designer from Tyumen, Western Siberia. Natalia was visiting her partner when the lockdown came into force and her flights were cancelled. Natalia started to miss her work and expressed a desire to do some work when she saw big piles …
As you go through town, you’ll find a couple of Mandalas that have been sent in, they’re beautiful in their own right but then we made them into a puzzle on the ground! We’ll have information stands throughout the map, this screenshot shows you the mixed up mandala, and the stand being built by one of our collaborators!
We’re very proud to have been given permission to share this piece of work. It’s by Street Artist Nyces and was created last year as part of a project in Peterborough for the Diaspora Arts and Education Charity. This has come to reflect other issues …
By local author Diane Calton Smith.
‘In The Wash’ is a Fenland History set in the time of King John. The loss of his baggage train in the Wash in 1216 has become interwoven with local legend and we have no way of knowing any more what really happened. There are too many theories and there is too little evidence.
see more on her page here
We decided to add the book to the map as a nod to the river being a part of the town, but also a part of the wider history of the area. The river Nene goes out to the Wash.
The map was generated from LIDAR data – accurately representing the heights of everything from the ground up. It was then combined with street map data to judge whether there was a building, tree, street or in our case river. These blocks were then changed …
From Wikipedia: The Clarkson Memorial commemorates Thomas Clarkson (1760 – 1846), a central figure in the campaign against the slave trade in the British empire, and a former native of Wisbech. It dates from 1880 – 1881 and is a Grade II* listed building.[1] The …
Crossing the river where it has been crossed for centuries, this bridge leads from the High Street, Nene Parade, South Brink and Bridge Street across to North Brink and the Old Market. The main large building in front (with dark curved arches on the lower level) is No 1 North Brink, the Corn Exchange, with the Town Council Chamber above. The painting is by Clive Bilcliff and you can find it here
The classic view of the town. The artwork is a photographic reinterpretation of the view, through manipulating the colour balance in post-production. So many sunsets and tourist photos have been produced of this sight, now it is in Minecraft as well as in a very …
Sharon produces lovely cute animal designs in felt, on a small scale. Wanting to help in some way at the start of lockdown, she got talking to Fen Spirits who were producing hand sanitiser at their still. The result was Bear Hugs – to give …
A beautiful pendant, this design has been created in various colours, that are really difficult to catch on film! Find Lumina Glass on Facebook for more.
Some may remember this from the 1970s but it’s come around again! Lovely work by university student Cerys Bussey, (who has also sent in some of her nature photography).
Local Student Cerys is studying at Sheffield Hallam University but like many young people, she came home during lockdown. She has submitted three sets of her work to us, here’s a sample of her photography, she also does Macrame (see the Textiles section)
These three are part of a series, called “The Impact of the Anthropocene”
Also, here’s some macro shots of her Jewel Orchid:
A young lady of 7 has sent in her lovely mosaics! After creating them, she shared then with family and friends. These took some time and concentration, designing each one as well as making it. Thankyou Judith, they’re beautiful!
We commissione Rachel (as Big Sky Arts) to produce some ideas of artworks to do at home, using nature as an inspiration. You can see her excellent video here Meanwhile, Rachel has also been doing some other artwork that she’s sent us as a contribution, …
20-mile radius
by Amy Wormald
29 September – 11 October 2020
Open daily 12pm – 4pm (closed on Mondays)
Babylon Gallery
Waterside – Ely – CB7 4AU
Gallery opening times: Tuesday – Sunday 12pm – 4pm
Amy Wormald is a contemporary painter living in Ely whose colourful work is inspired by the Fens, construction and growth. The exhibition brings together paintings inspired by urban and rural landscapes within a 20-mile radius of Ely. Her work ranges from small studies of colour in nature, to large canvases of building sites and roadworks.
Amy was winner of the Cambridge Open Art Exhibition 2018 and shortlisted for the D-Contemporary Painting Prize in London in 2019.
The exhibition brings together original framed works in oil and acrylic to browse or buy. Entry to the gallery is free and all are welcome.
www.amywormald.net
@amy_wormald
#20MileRadius
This is something we could look at for a long time, how beautiful and mesmerising! Amy tells us: Doing repeating patterns has allowed me to escape the anxiety of our current situation and to concentrate on something pleasant. It was created using pen on thick …
A Recipe for Beginning Afresh using lockdown store cupboard ingredients.
Before the counting’s done,
while it’s still fresh,
take one wobbly cyclist
newly confident on empty roads.
A cup of watching nature in the garden.
At least 500g of birdsong,
feel free to add more to taste.
As much as you can find of empty skies
and smog free air.
A handful of daily walks.
A good slug of care and compassion.
A tablespoon of acting for the greater good.
A smidge of clap for carers if you fancy.
3 cups of verges brimming with wildflowers.
A litre of clearer water from Venice.
Add all the ingredients and mix.
Don’t forget the cherry on top
Lower Carbon Dioxide emissions.
Serve anytime, day or night.
There’s more than enough,
to enjoy right now
and leave to prove
the benefits for future generations
Kim Allen
https://twitter.com/HootersHall
Our young artist (see our Young People pages) has taken up photography, reading books and learning about DSLR cameras. WE think she’s got a good eye for this! (“Grass” repeated below so you can click and see it full size!)
The video was produced as part of The Library Presents scheme which “brings physical and digital arts activities for all ages into towns and villages across Cambridgeshire. To see the latest programme of events and workshops visit www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/arts”
Thankyou to The Library Presents team for putting us in touch and of course to Harp and a Monkey for taking part. We look forward to working with them further, and we’ll be putting this in the Minecraft Arts Trail!
Here’s some details from Harp and a Monkey:
As the people of Britain embrace the partial reopening of our ‘houses of heritage’, the award-winning song and storytelling trio Harp & a Monkey are making public the fruits of a new project that celebrates the value of our public museums, galleries and archives.
The Ballad of Wisbech Museum is a timely reminder (in song and imagery) of the vital role that cultural centres play in our lives, and the pride and care involved in maintaining them.
Harp & a Monkey front-man Martin Purdy explains: “For many of us, places like museums provide an oasis of calm in a frantic world. As soon as you enter and the door closes behind you, the chaos of the street disappears and it’s like being embraced by a special kind of stillness. Many of us find these places totally immersive and magical – somewhere we can have a quiet thought in our own heads.”
We agree. The Museum is a perfect place to take time out from a busy day, or to just enjoy a quiet moment. Always worth a visit, seeing something new each time, and of course a good place to find local history books and unusual gifts.
Martin continues:
“This sector, not unlike our own in the music world, has faced – and continues to face – very tough times. We’ve done a lot of projects with museums, archives and galleries in the past and we were pleased to be asked to help celebrate the important role they play, and must continue to play, in archiving our past and providing vital lessons for our future.”
The Lancastrian trio’s commission came via the Arts Council and The Library Presents, which is Cambridgeshire County Council’s arts project for County Libraries. The challenge was to write a song inspired by the The Wisbech and Fenland Museum, which is one of the oldest purpose-built museums in the UK.
Harp & a Monkey’s relationship with this particular facility dates back to late 2019 when they launched their acclaimed fourth album, The Victorians, with a live show in the facility.
In keeping with the founding history of the building, for this particular project the trio used a pre-existing song from the period of its birth (1847) for their initial inspiration. The song they chose was unearthed by the outfit’s banjo player Andy Smith, and is an old Victorian Broadsheet called The Electors of Cambridge, which was itself a reworking of an even older ballad called Fly Not Yet.
Here’s the music and we’re sure you’ll love the film too:
The Ballad of Wisbech Museum is accompanied by a short art film put together by the band’s harpist Simon Jones, who is an internationally recognised art photographer and animator.
Like the tracks on their last album, The Ballad of Wisbech Museum has been mixed by the in-demand Darren Jones, whose clients include the likes of Stormzy, Tom Walker and Harry Styles.
Shelley is a Spiritual Artist producing work on all kinds of media, often featuring Angel like figures. Find her on Facebook.
Local Illustrator/Designer, Brandon has produced work that has been sold across the UK including: Waitrose, ASDA, Clintons & UK Greetings He works with the Wisbech and Fenland Museum on ideas to support young artists. He has kindly sent us some of his pieces of Wisbech, …
“After lockdown I saw the world from new angles and with a new phone in hand I took some photos with wide lens of the St. Peter’s church. I’ve grown up in Elm and many generations before me. I’ve always loved taking photography and capturing moments of time.”
Find Anita on Facebook.
Local writer Diane tells us a little about what she did during Lockdown – a productive time for many. Writing Fenland Histories and Mysteries has been part of my life for the last six years, but lockdown really gave my writing a boost. There was …
They said that he died, the old man from the flats
Diabetic and eighty, he fitted the stats
An ambulance came, was a call from his daughter
They took him away, Covid lamb to the slaughter
Connected by wires to machines made by Dyson
No time for goodbye or a kiss from his grandson
‘We did all we could, please prepare for the worst’
They’ve said it so often the lines feel rehearsed
Another bed empty, another one bagged
Another confirmed, another toe tagged.
No poem by Auden, no black horse with feathers
The only respects are for distancing measures
We scuttle from houses like terrified spiders
To clap the front line, as it serves to remind us
We’re here, still alive, and not yet met our fate
Then return to our fears at one-minute past eight.
Shannon found out about the Arts Trail on Instagram (follow us on @WisbechArts and follow Shannon on @ShannonJohnson.Art) She tells us: I have painted on and off over the years but since the lockdown I have found the time and space for my inspiration to …
By C J Mawganson – see also Poetry “I wanted to create a piece of work that reflected the easing of lockdown. A reminder of what had been, and how we are now moving into a new ‘normal’. “
by C J Mawganson (see also Poetry)
“I love how pumpkins carpet the Fen fields in the autumn. They glow burning orange in the weakening sun. Way too delicious to carve and throw away.”
Mike tells us: “The building is the centre of a tiny village in Hungary – I forget the name – which I did for my next door neighbour in return for a couple of jars of delicious pickles. It was her hometown. She moved …
From Jessica’s Mum: “Jessica is 11 years old, has had a few health issues, so that has meant plenty of time to draw, paint, and she loves digital art too. She is just finding her style and loves to try different things” We’ve had …
