If you’ve taken a walk around Peterborough’s Nene Park recently you will hopefully have seen some inspiring art in amongst the trees – now there’s set to be even more creativity with a programme of artists in residence.
Nene Park Trust has secured funding for two new art projects in the Park, 42 Words and Park Art – Artist in Residence programme.
The innovative 42 Words project has provided a creative response to the effects of lockdown during Ferry Meadows’ 42nd year since opening and the appreciation we’ve all felt for outdoor space in recent months particularly Peterborough’s parks and greenspaces.
Thanks to the Arts Council Emergency Response Fund, Nene Park Trust supported 14 local artists, many of whom have had work cancelled or postponed due to Covid-19, to create new artworks for the Park. The new artworks created by visual artists, digital artists, street artists, designers and poets are currently being displayed as posters at sites around the Park, encouraging visitors to reflect, laugh and be hopeful about the future.
Park visitors, staff, volunteers, schools and community groups were invited to nominate words that described their feelings about lockdown, parks and their feelings towards a sense of community over the last few months and each artist responded to a selection of these words through a series of exciting artworks. There are 42 new artworks to discover with the outdoor exhibitions currently on display at Ferry Meadows, Woodston Reach, Thorpe Meadows and Bluebell Wood.
Louise Thirlwall, Project Officer (Arts and Community) at Nene Park Trust said, “We wanted to support local artists and involve Park visitors, staff, volunteers and local communities in creating new artworks for the Park. 42 Words is our way of collecting our shared experiences of lockdown and respond creatively to capture this once-in-a-lifetime event through art.”
42 Words commissioned Artists are: Clare Currie, Faith Falayi, Charley Genever, Mark Grist, Katy Hawkins, Paper Rhino (Fiona Cifaldi, Dominc Le-Hair, Jason Duckmanton & Amanda Rigby), Prin Marshall, Lee Mason, Stuart Payn, Charron Pugsley-Hill, Malika Speaks.
The new Park Art – Artist in Residence Programme also funded by Arts Council England, provides new opportunities for artists. Three artists have been invited to create new work in response to the beautiful surroundings of the Park, develop their artistic practice through mentoring sessions and support, and provide visitors with the opportunity to take part in creative activities. They will reside in the Park for 40 days exploring and researching the landscape, heritage and people.
The artists-in-residence are visual artists Caroline Wendling and Madhu Manipatruni and musician and songwriter Yvonne Harris-Hercules. You can find out more about the work the artists create at events in the Park and online during September and October.
About the Artists:
Madhu Manipatruni (pictured above) is a visual artist living in Peterborough. Her practice includes drawing, painting and digital artwork. She likes to use simple materials such as paper, charcoal and her ideas revolve around roots and identity, ideas of beauty and the role of art in the digital age. Madhu is also a practicing Creative Technologist and holds an MA in Creative Technology from DeMontfort University. During her residency Madhu will be experimenting with natural materials found in the Park to make new drawings.
Yvonne Hercules (pictured above) is a singer songwriter based in Cambridge. Inspired by folk, blues, rock & soul, her music is a mix of these influences with honest, thought provoking lyrics. Her music often relates to themes that resonate to her, others and the world around her. During her residency Yvonne will be creating a musical piece exploring our human connection to nature and how this relates to issues surrounding climate change.
Caroline Wendling (pictured above) is a visual artist that creates drawings, prints, installations, walks and performances that explore history and local myths and respond to place. Caroline lives in Cambridgeshire and was born in France, moving to Britain after completing her art studies. She has created commissions for Whitechapel Art Gallery, Kettle’s Yard Gallery, Wysing Arts Centre, and Deron Art Projects. She has recently worked on community projects in Hampton and Bedford. During her residency Caroline will be discovering visitors’ stories about the Park and exploring how visitors interact with nature.
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