Rural Arts

The first time visiting the military families was a wet and foggy cold Yorkshire day, heading away from the main military camp in the North of England to Bramble woods, what I would soon discover was a safe haven. A big polytunnel greeted me on arrival, leaves just beginning to turn brown, not yet fallen to the floor.

I met Edwina and Amy who told me about the work that takes place. We had a brew and a chat, around thirty minutes later some of the families came and explained the project so far to me. How they had been joined in their craft workshops and shared stories, words, and ideas for a public piece that would stay in this peaceful place. This place means more than a place to grow, or even more than a safe wooden private place, each person has a role.

Edwina showed me her bees, explaining how she’d been trained as a beekeeper now. How all the families have chances to learn new skills from growing, recipes, to bee keeping, or even making cups of tea at the pavilion for families. There was instantly a feeling of these people feeling safe and belonging here. I really wanted to bring that into whatever we made

Three visits later I arrived for the grand opening of the public piece. It was to be unveiled, and a new film work to be shown. The piece by artist Adrian Riley, nestles into the wooded area perfectly, military words that could be political or playful sit on the wooden sign signaling new directions. Families gathered around to listen.

I watched the event and thought about how to best represent this place. I had been making images each time, portraits and reflections on how the area makes me feel. The last session we did together was writing and portraiture. Collecting stories of the project with rural arts but also how this place makes them feel. The portraits sit alongside those images of the space layered with handwritten reflective pieces on top.