Image credit - Rosser1954, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

We're going to make a series of four paving slabs, cast with designs inspired by the seasonal change of the natural environment surrounding the canal.

Our project is inspired by the history of the area as well as the canal and the environment: the industrial heritage of the ironworks and earlier ironstone pits.  As regular users of the canal area, we are keenly aware of the beauty and change in the natural environment throughout the year, as well as the litter that sadly accumulates there.  Each slab would be inspired by a season: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, with designs reflecting the seasonal plantlife at those times.  By placing the slabs at different points around the new bridge area, the artwork in its totality would be discoverable only by exploration. 

We would like our artwork to be of the community, and for the community to feel ownership and connection to its creation.  To this end, we'll be holding two sets of community activities which will underpin the work: two community litterpicks, and four art workshops.   

The litterpicks will engage local people in the conservation of the area, and we will look to recover a small amount of metal (such as cans) from the waste to be melted down (in a nod to the ironworking history of the area) and incorporated into the final slabs. 

One of our artists (Barry Neeson) will make a small-scale forge to melt down the metal, which then will be incorporated into the final pieces.  

Taking the materials and designs from the community engagement phase, artist Pearl Kinnear would work on the design and relief casting of the final pieces.

Four drawing workshops will be led by Danielle Banks.

Please read on for more information on the project and how to get involved, or get in touch with us at nina@boomcommunityarts.com.

You can read more about the community artwork projects here, part of the new Stockingfield Bridge project being delivered by Scottish Canals with funding from Sustrans, and the Glasgow City Council Vacant Derelict Land Fund. You can also find out about how you can engage with the other projects here

Drawing Workshops

Our first two workshops took place at Lambhill Stables on 27th November and 6th December. Participants took a walk in the local area to gain inspiration from their surroundings before heading back to the space to begin drawing.

Artist Danielle Banks led the workshops and commented on the participants’ experience, “I think everyone is using the time we spend walking and drawing in a way that is most useful to themselves. Everyone joins the group differently. For some it's more just a slot of peaceful time to observe and reflect away from the grind of daily life. And for others, it's more active. They really want to create something to their best ability, trying out materials and techniques that represent themselves and the seasons. Or they want to employ their knowledge by spotting things they know the names of. I think connecting with nature and the changing seasons as we choose has definitely made for a creative environment where we've felt able to be ourselves.”

The workshops have encouraged participants to connect to their local area as well as to the bridge project. Danielle said, “It's exciting that the work will be physically and permanently in location. The task of documenting the nature present feels purposeful because we want that final artwork to function. We feel responsible and hopeful for the future people of the bridge and the area. It's also a memorable experience and walking in nature, really looking, is a daily habit or routine that being part of this project can contribute to. I think the more you look, the more you see.”

Litterpicks

On a sunny Sunday in March we held our first litterpick for the Stockingfield Bridge project. Artist Barry Neeson was joined by a group of volunteers to collect rubbish along the river. Barry will use the (many!) aluminium cans collected to integrate into the final paving slabs.

Get involved!

The final drawing workshop will take place at Lambhill Stables at the following time:

• Saturday 9th April at 1-3pm

We would love for you to get involved, even if you didn’t attend the previous workshops. There are ten spaces available. To sign up, please complete this form. If you have any problems completing the form, please email nina@boomcommunityarts.com.

We are also holding another litterpick to improve the local area and collect material to incorporate into the final designs. This will take place at the following time:

• Sunday 3rd April at 2-4pm

The litterpick will start at Lambhill Stables (11 Canal Bank North, Glasgow G22 6RD). We will provide litterpickers and bags, we just need you! Get in touch on the Boom! phone if you need to contact us on the day - 07897 905229.

Come and join us to contribute to a permanent artwork while making the canal look great!