Friday 1 February 2013

working memory: exhibition

An exhibition of new artwork by arthur+martha's Lead Artist Lois Blackburn has started a tour in Derbyshire. It shows part of a collection of artwork, reminiscences and ­embroidery exploring the working lives of older people living in the region.

on your hands and knees scrubbing mono print, marbled paper. Lois Blackburn 2013

The project gathers memories on the theme of work. It recalls a time when most young people started work at 14, left school on a Friday, started work on the Monday. This was a time when a job was for life, with long working days, poor conditions, and often a six-day week. Artist, Lois Blackburn has reproduced reminiscences using people’s own words, and illustrated the stories in collage and embroidery, put together as handmade books.


Join the Naafi, monoprint and marbled paper, Lois Blackburn 2013

The people Lois engaged with spoke of hardship, boredom, friendships, expectations, families, and duty… with a mixture of humour, poignancy, honesty and often great affection for a time past. Lois hopes that these words and pictures will inspire and prompt further conversations, reminiscences, and pictures.




Working memories, hand made book Lois Blackburn 2013


This exhibition is a celebration of all of the wonderful people who have so generously shared their memories with Lois over the months.

A big thank you to all of the groups, volunteers, and staff who have made this possible. Bakewell Dementia Cafe,  Bakewell Age UK,  Buxton Dementia CafĂ©,  60 Not Out New Mills,
Stroke Support Group New Mills.


two pot dogs, embroidery, Lois Blackburn 2012

The schedule for the touring exhibition is;

Jan – March 2013 – Long Eaton Library
April – June 2013 – Glossop Library
July – Sept 2013 – Alfreton Library
Oct – Dec 2013 – Dronfield Library
Jan – March 2014 – Bolsover Library


scrubbing, embroidery, Lois Blackburn 2012
For more photos please visit http://www.flickr.com/

stitch them together, embroidery, Lois Blackburn 2012
The project working memories was funded by Arts Council England, Derbyshire Dales District Council and Derbyshire Community Foundation.


No comments: