Artist Talk
Interactive Weaves in the city
This talk consisted of a panel of three, including, Dr Carol Ekinsmyth from the University Portsmouth, Nettle Textile Artist Allan Brown, and myself. We discussed topics on community, sustainability, and the Interactive Weaves project. The conversation was chaired by Lynne Dick, Head of programme at John Hansard Gallery.
Allan Brown is a textile artist living and working in Brighton, East Sussex. Brown works with sustainable fibres like nettles, flax and wool. He also natural dye from plants all foraged, grown and collected from within a few miles of his home. Brown takes these raw materials and transforms them into beautiful cloth with the aim of creating functional, durable clothing that draws lightly from the land.
Dr Carol Ekinsmyth is an experienced University Academic and Principal Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth in Geography with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. In her new research she is examining the role of place in creative entrepreneurship.
Lynne Dick is Head of Programme (Engagement and Learning) at John Hansard Gallery, Southampton and is committed to inclusion, diversity and community engagement in and through the arts. She was an artist and artist-educator for many years and has worked across the arts and heritage sectors in the region.
Photographs and Film by Alex Fountain.
Topics and Discussion
What have you gained from your involvement in the project/with each other?
How important have partnerships been to the project, and what is the impact on the artistic direction of Interactive Weaves? (Hotwalls artists, local materials donors, etc…collegiate ways of working) generosity and skill sharing.
What is the role of art in creating a dialogue where communities can explore issues that matter? How has your project illuminated what is happening or could be happening locally? (Urban growing /climate change, sense of community) community voice
Can you talk a bit more about the importance of art in place making and location in your project in a city? (Social geography/localism/community, coastal cities, local landscape)
What did you notice? What has stood out for you? (Skills, community spirit, connectivity, sense of belonging….)
“The talk has inspired me to continue to make the link with nature/art/wellbeing. Particularly the connection of using natural materials”
“This project is more than `textiles` with Alice driving the community engagement. The hand-written messages, chit-chat and exchanging of contact details between strangers working on a joint art piece is uplifting to hear. The fact that young children are also inspired to have a go is wonderful. I believe there is an opportunity to take this further perhaps with some school involvement and Alice`s ideas for growing flax in the City of Portsmouth to be turned into weaving materials is an interesting one. The led format of `conversation` between the two makers and project researcher worked well. I personally now wish to own a drop spindle and have a go with my own home-grown nettles and to spread the word to other makers.”
“Alice`s Interactive Weaves` project is so inclusive and it has been a pleasure to be small part of this ever growing opportunity. It`s wonderful to see Portsmouth becoming an arts destination”
“The talk has roused my curiosity to find out more about the subject. To know that traditional crafts are still practiced by enthusiastic people”
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