Archive for May, 2008

Heritage Slavery Project - East Renfrewshire

Friday, May 16th, 2008

I’ve been working with a group of students at Williamwood High School on the history of slavery in Scotland using photography. The students took photographs at Greenbank House in East Renfrewshire and at what is now the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow, but what was once the mansion of one of the tobacco barons who supported the slave trade. These photographs were then combined with archive drawings and etchings from the slave trade era.

The object of the project was to put back the history of the slave trade at the locations where it should be most felt - at the historic homes of those who became wealthy at the cost of immense suffering.

A small selection of the incredible work done by the students is below. I am now continuing with the project to organise an exhibition and launch event at the Eastwood Park Theatre in East Renfrewshire for September 2008.

The project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Ash Noble, Williamwood High School Jonathan Oakman, Williamwood High School Gregor Illingworth, Williamwood High School Amy-Louise Crum, Williamwood High School

Fill

Sunday, May 11th, 2008

‘How small a thought it takes to fill someone’s whole life’ - Ludwig Wittgenstein

Fill

* [Start Slide Show] *

©Reeling & Writhing

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‘Fill’ was a Reeling & Writhing collaboration between:
Brian Hartley, Gillian Lees, Katherine Morley, Tim Nunn, Suhayl Saadi and Vanessa Smith.

We took the above quote from Ludwig Wittgenstein as our starting point. Through a series of creative meetings we eventually met in a white box for improvised movement with textual stimulus from Suhayl while I took photographs from a fixed point and Brian captured with pencil and ink.

(Unfortunately Gillian was unable to take part in this session so her part was taken by Katherine.)

‘Fill’ was shown as a series of thirty images at the Tron Theatre in October 2004.

Limited number print series from ‘Fill’ are available. Please email me for details.