Local people showcase their artistic talent "In Our Backyard"
Local people showcase their artistic talent as the “In Our Backyard”
artist-in residence programme opens at The Community Gallery
Hodge Hill and Ladywood will see their works of art go on display in
Birmingham’s Museum and Art Gallery from April 10th – July 14th as
part of “In our Backyard” - an innovative artist-in-residence project
to help engage local communities in the arts, which is a central
objective of the city’s bid to be the first UK City of Culture in
2013. Hundreds of local people were involved in the project, developed by
Birmingham City Council’s Community Arts team, which ran for a year
and saw four artists set up their studios in the communities, working
with local people to create works of art which reflected their
neighbourhoods. The artists who took part were Mohsen Keiany - an
internationally-recognised painter and illustrator; video and film
makers Reel Access (George Fleming and Laura Breakwell); Eleanor Hoad-
a cultural eco-artist with a keen interest in permaculture and issues
of sustainability and storytellers Annamation (Anna Conomos and
Susanna Willetts). Works produced by the artists and local communities include a large
scale mosaic based on by Islamic calligraphy, created by family groups
in Ladywood; a filming and photography project made by under 5s and
their parents showing community perspectives of Hodge Hill; the
planting of fruit trees in Erdington High Street town centre arcade
and creation of a map of fruit trees in the area - and a story telling
project in Perry Barr, which worked with community elders to hear
their tales and then helped young people to learn and re-tell them. Annamation (Anna Conomos and Susanna Willetts) said of their project: “The residency has provided an amazing opportunity for us to develop a
long-term relationship with the students and staff of Rookery School,
Handsworth and members of the local community. We were able to witness
the children's responses and the progress in their work through
storytelling. By working with the children to find and perform stories
from their cultural heritage it gave them a platform where they could
appreciate their own background and increase awareness and respect for
the 'other'. “Our work also involved an Intergenerational Project between elders
from the 'Golden Age Forum', Handsworth and some Year 6 pupils from
the school. The aim of this project was to bridge the generational gap
and to cultivate the age-old tradition of passing down stories, wisdom
and anecdotes from the wiser and more experienced members of the
community to the young leaders of tomorrow.” Cllr Martin Mullaney, Cabinet Member for Arts and Culture added: “The works of art produced by the people of Ladywood, Erdington, Hodge
Hill and Perry Barr are inspiring. Not only does it showcase the
talent of our city’s residents, but it also helps to tell the story of
Birmingham’s diverse communities. “I am delighted that we have been able to bring arts and culture to
life in four of our local neighbourhoods, but equally pleased that the
works will now be on display at the Community Gallery so that
thousands more people and visitors can enjoy them.” A programme of events held every weekend at The Community Gallery from
10th April -15th May 2010 will also give many more local people a
chance to get involved in the programme. ENDS Pictures show: · Annamation performing ‘Hags and Heroines’ – created with the
local community in Handsworth · Elders at the Story Telling workshop in Handsworth · Families creating an Islamic mosaic · The under 5’s photo project in Hodge Hill If you would like to speak to some of the artists involved or you
would like more images, please give me a call on 07881 500557. Regards, Deborah Smith Wordsmith Communication m: 07881 500557 e: ds@wordsmith-communication.co.uk w: www.wordsmith-communication.co.uk This email and any attachments to it may be confidential and are
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