New films launched on youtube

Five new short films made by arthur+martha's Lead Artist Lois Blackburn have just been launched on YouTube.  They combine reminiscences, photography and illustrations, exploring the working lives of older people living in the Derbyshire.

www.picturethepast.org.uk

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. The films combine oral history, with Lois's illustrations and photos from the wonderful collection at www.picturethepast.org.uk

Scrubbing collaged marbled paper and monoprint, 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. You can now view them on YouTube by clicking on the following links:

Farm work

Work

Struggle

Entertainment

Domestic Work

These films are 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 Café,  60 Not Out New Mills,

Stroke Support Group New Mills.

The project working memories was funded by Arts Council England, Derbyshire Dales District Council and Derbyshire Community Foundation.