House of Lords – Arts and Healthcare Environments Round Table
Blog, Healthcare ProjectsOn Monday 13th June I was asked to contribute to an All Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing at the House of Lords.
The Arts and Healthcare Environments Round Table was chaired by Lord Crisp and was organised by Alex Coulter - “Alex has been Director of Art & Health South West since 2010. Before that she managed the Arts in Hospital project at Dorset County Hospital for 13 years. and worked as a free lance arts and health consultant in the acute and primary care sectors. As part of her role with AHSW she represents the region on the National Alliance for Arts, Health and Wellbeing and provides the secretariat for theAll Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing”. Arts & Health South West
“The Arts and Healthcare Environments round table is hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing. It is one in a series of round tables in which practitioners, academics, policy makers, those with lived experience and managers of services are invited to share their knowledge and experience with parliamentarians. The aim is to inform policy recommendations for the APPG’s Inquiry into Arts, Health and Wellbeing.
The integration of the arts into hospital environments is, arguably, the great success story of the arts and health movement in this country. Major initiatives, such as the King’s Fund Healing Environments programme and the work by CABE (the Commission for the Built Environment) and NHS Estates, in the 1990s and 2000s have had a significant and lasting impact. This round table will consider the critical success factors in this area of arts and health practice, how these might influence our thinking about policy for the wider arts and health sector, as well as consider what next for arts in healthcare environments. We will broaden the discussion to incorporate issues such as staff experience and retention, design of products and services, and the integration of gardens and horticulture into healthcare environments.” Alex Coulter
Participants:
Gilly Angell, Expert Patient, UCLH Cancer Centre
Sir Quentin Blake, Artist
Paul Brooks, Associate Director of Patient Experience and Facilities Management, Derby Teaching
Hospitals and Laura Waters, Arts Programme Manager, Derby Teaching Hospitals
Clare Devine, Executive Director Architecture, Built Environment and Design, Design Council Cabe
Guy Eades, Director of Healing Arts, St Mary’s Hospital, Isle of Wight
Susan Francis, Programme Director for Architects for Health
Professor Fiona Sampson, poet
Dr Sue Stuart-Smith, Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist
Sally Thompson, Director Grampian Hospitals Arts Trust
Chris Tipping, Artist
Paul Williams, Stanton Williams Architects
Jane Willis, Director of Willis Newson
Following the round table we were all invited to celebrate the launch of Creativity and Wellbeing Week 2016 hosted by Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity at St Thomas’ Hospital. “This national showcase of work in hospitals from across the country will offer an insight into some of the ways the arts can enhance the 21st Century hospital”.
I have worked as an artist within Healthcare Environments since the very outset of my career – so this was a very privileged opportunity for me to make a contribution to the debate and hopefully in some small way, to influence future policy for the better.
Also – this was my first time inside the Houses of Parliament ! I couldn’t believe I was standing in Westminster Hall -
My pictures are not so good – but the experience really was !
Houses of Parliament, Monday 13th June 2016 Image: Christopher Tipping
Inside Westminster Hall, Monday 13th June 2016. Image: Christopher Tipping
Westminster Hall is 900 years old – “The magnificent hammer-beam roof of Westminster Hall is the largest medieval timber roof in Northern Europe. Measuring 20.7 by 73.2 metres (68 by 240 feet), the roof was commissioned in 1393 by Richard II, and is a masterpiece of design”.
The massive and magnificent hammer beam roof of Westminster Hall. Monday 13th June 2016. Image: Christopher Tipping
A carved angel – part of the massive hammer beam roof of Westminster Hall, Monday 13th June 2016
The Whiteleaf Centre – Stage 2 completed
Blog, Healthcare Projects, The Whiteleaf CentreThe Ward Round Rooms at the Whiteleaf Centre have now been completed.
VGL Ltd collaborated with me on the production design and then manufactured and installed the digitally printed artwork wall coverings.
Tom Cox of Artscape has managed the project from the outset. A big thanks for all his contribution and assistance with the project !
A few images of Amber, Sapphire and Ruby Ward Round Rooms – Opal Ward is still missing – but I will post some images as soon as they come in –
Ward Round Room, Amber Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom Cox
Ward Round Room, Amber Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom Cox
Ward Round Room, Amber Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom Cox
Ward Round Room, Amber Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom Cox
Ward Round Room, Amber Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom Cox
Ward Round Room, Sapphire Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom Cox
Ward Round Room, Sapphire Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom Cox
Ward Round Room, Sapphire Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom Cox
Ward Round Room, Ruby Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom Cox
Ward Round Room, Sapphire Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom Cox
Ward Round Room, Sapphire Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom Cox
Ward Round Room, Sapphire Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom Cox
Ward Round Room, Ruby Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom Cox
Ward Round Room, Ruby Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom Cox
Ward Round Room, Ruby Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom Cox
Ward Round Room, Ruby Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom Cox
Ward Round Room, Ruby Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom Cox
Ward Round Room, Ruby Ward, Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury by Christopher Tipping. Image: Tom Cox
Burton’s Elephant !
Blog, Chatham Placemaking Masterplan, Public Art, Public Realm
Halifax Building Society now occupy the Burton Art Deco Building on Military Road and High Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping
Halifax Building Society now occupy the former Burton Tailors Art Deco Building on Military Road and High Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping
Burton’s Tailors, Military Road, Chatham - now the Halifax Building Society
“Burton’s long history in men’s clothing is a remarkable story. It was founded in 1903 by Montague Burton (originally named Meshe Osinsky), one of several Russian Jewish immigrants who built enormously successful businesses from humble beginnings.
Burton became a household name because of good public relations and the way it treated its workers. Burton bought shops in the prime town centre spots and were instantly recognisable because of their design. There were few men in England who didn’t at some time enter the portals of a Burton’s “gentlemen’s club” and get measured for a Burton suit.
On the eve of the 1939-45 war, Burton again turned to the production of uniforms for troops. After the war, Burton produced a suit for war veterans nicknamed “The Full Monty”. By the end of the war, Burton was estimated to be clothing around a fifth of British males.” On:Yorkshire Magazine 20th December 2012
The Art Deco Elephant motif on the building on Halifax Building on Military Road was common to all Burtons buildings throughout the 1930’s. It is a large and significant building in Chatham and one which assists in anchoring our site on the route from the Station to the Waterfront – not insignificantly because of it’s wonderful Elephant motif’s.
The Halifax Building Society now occupies the former Burton Art Deco Building on Military Road and High Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping
St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham
Blog, Chatham Placemaking Masterplan, Public Art, Public RealmTuesday 10th May –
St John’s Church on Railway Street Chatham, is a jewel in the crown of Chatham’s Architectural Heritage.
St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham 2015. Image: Christopher Tipping
Maybe you don’t agree !
St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham 2015. Image: Christopher Tipping
What about now…? No?
St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham 2015. Image: Christopher Tipping
A much better image in great light – showing off it’s tower and Italianate form.
Built in 1820/21 by the Architect Sir Robert Smirke – who by the way also built the Facade and main block of the British Museum – the Grade II Listed Italianate Style Anglican Church is one of the few Waterloo Churches left intact.
The Church has been closed since the early 1990’s – but has in the interim been used for an arts installation – Chatham Vines in 2006.
I only came to Chatham for the first time in 2015 to start work on the Chatham Placemaking Project – I loved the building from the start – with its robust symetric form and landmark tower. It is the anchor building along our route. However – those familiar with Chatham will know all too well the condition of the building today. It has been bypassed by most and is diminished by the constant flow of traffic and cut off from lower Railway Street and the town centre by the busy road. Stained glass windows are dark. The stone elevations are dirty. The paintwork on the doors is peeling. It is forlorn – but actually it has not been forgotten !
My images aren’t brilliant – but just take a look inside …
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Laura Knight of Francis Knight and I were accompanied by Peter West of the Diocese of Rochester. He had agreed to show us around & allowed us to take pictures whilst discussing the Chatham Placemaking Project and the importance of this building to our project. The building is still of importance to the Diocese too.
The interior is quite stunningly beautiful with interior furniture and finishes – albeit dirty and in need of repair & a little tlc – hardly touched since the day the doors were closed and locked. So much original detail and wonderful features remain, including bespoke benches and seating, lighting, plasterwork, ironwork and of course brilliantly coloured stained glass. Could you have guessed that from the outside?
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Stained Glass window above the alter. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior – Ceiling detail of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Ceiling rose detail. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Detail of Benches – Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view from the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view from the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view from the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
The first public building in Chatham to be lit by electricity !
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view of benches on the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view from the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view from the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A view from the upper balcony. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Timber screen fretwork. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. A seat in the choir . Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Wonderful delicate lighting. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
‘Water from the Sea of Galilee’ – Interior of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Exterior pathway of St John’s Church, Railway Street, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission Diocese of Rochester.
Newcomb’s War Diary –
Blog, Chatham Placemaking Masterplan, Public Art, Public RealmOn Tuesday 10th May I visited Penguins, 87-89 High Street Chatham. Penguins happens to be the Newcomb family business specialising in formal wear and wedding suits for men. I met Gerald Newcomb – a 7th generation Newcomb, running a business stretching back over 180 years in Chatham.
Gerald Newcomb, Penguins, 87 – 89 High Street, Chatham standing with the Newcomb War Diary. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission of Gerald Newcomb.
‘The family has served the great and the good for almost 180 years. Figures such as Charles Dickens, Lord Kitchener, Lord Byron and Lord Tennyson have enjoyed the service we offer – our workrooms were a hive of activity as we created shirts for King Edward VII!’ ‘Gerald is the 7th generation to run the firm and has himself been in the industry for 45 years.’
This business fits into our Chatham Placemaking Project primarily because of its association with our route – Newcomb’s also had a Ladies Clothes Shop on Railway Street – but the big surprise is the Newcomb War Diary. Surely this has to be on our list of ‘10 things which made Chatham’.
The following statement comes from the Chatham Historical Society Website.
“A few years ago Chatham Historical Society was given permission to make a replica of an original diary written every day during the years of the Second World War by George West, company secretary of a navy tailors, hosiers, hatters and shirt makers in Chatham High Street called Newcomb’s. This replica of the “Newcomb War Diary” is dedicated to the memory of Mr West, the Newcomb and Paine families, and all Medway people – both service personnel and civilians – who lived through the events described in it.
Newcomb’s opened for business in 1854. After the original shop was demolished when the Sir John Hawkins flyover was built, the business moved along the High Street to the corner of Medway Street. Mr Gerald Newcomb is still trading as Penguins Dress Hire.
The replica was paid for by Chatham Historical Society and a generous donation by the late Mr and Mrs W. Paine, and has been available to view at public events and libraries in the Medway towns.
It had been in Strood Library for many months, and their website states that it is on display there, but it might have moved on to another temporary home. Check with Strood Library for the latest situation.
The Paine family ran outfitter’s shops in Chatham and Strood, and were founders of the Chatham Reliance Building Society.”
This is the frontispiece of the Newcomb War Diary belonging to Mr Gerald Newcomb of Penguins, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping
The book referred by the Chatham Historical Society is a smaller copy version of this. The actual artefact – a fantastic large folio book / ledger was originally manufactured in Chatham for Newcomb’s – is unique and I felt privileged to be shown it.
This is the gold embossed front cover of the Newcomb War Diary belonging to Mr Gerald Newcomb of Penguins, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping – by permission of Gerald Newcomb.
A typical page layout of an untypical diary ! The Newcomb War Diary belonging to Mr Gerald Newcomb of Penguins, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping – by permission of Gerald Newcomb.
A page from the Newcomb War Diary belonging to Mr Gerald Newcomb of Penguins, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping – by permission of Gerald Newcomb.
Gerald Newcomb of Penguins, 87 – 89 High Street, Chatham with the Newcomb War Diary. Image: Christopher Tipping by permission of Gerald Newcomb.
‘CHATHAM – KENT – ENGLAND’ –
Blog, Chatham Placemaking Masterplan, Public Art, Public RealmA brilliant time-lapse film celebrating the Chatham Placemaking Project, by the Filmmaker Simon Williams was premiered on the Waterfront Big Screen in Chatham on Friday evening 6th May – and then ran at hourly intervals through Saturday 7th May –
‘A series of films will focus the eye and the heart and have clearly distilled a vision for the project – a reductive process of stripping back and looking afresh. Simon refreshingly admits he has fallen in love with Chatham – he has lived here for 15 years. ‘Chatham, Kent, England’ is a remarkable 12-hour time-lapse work beautifully filmed from the roof of UCA at Fort Pitt. Standing in front of the Big Screen, the River Medway can’t actually be seen . The disengagement is clear. The film powerfully makes the case for Chatham to celebrate and acknowledge this enduring and symbiotic relationship. It could be an elegy for a Chatham we have forgotten but which is actually still alive and well and all around us’. Project Lead Artist Chris Tipping –
‘Chatham, Kent, England’, is the first in a series of films being delivered as part of the Temporary Art Programme supporting the Chatham Placemaking Project. They were commissioned by FrancisKnight Art Consultants and myself as project lead artist. ‘These are our Streets’, a collaboration between Simon and Rob Young, Writer, will be the second film in the series to be released.
Simon Williams on the roof of UCA Rochester at Fort Pitt. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Simon Williams.
Simon Williams by the Waterfront Big Screen – showing ‘Chatham, Kent, England’. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: By Permission of Simon Williams.
Pentagon Day –
Blog, Chatham Placemaking Masterplan, Public Art, Public Realm, UncategorizedSaturday 7th May 2016 – Pentagon Shopping Centre, Chatham
A workshop day – talking, being talked to – gathering stories, memories and an understanding of life in Chatham. Thanks to all who cam to speak to us – Elsie was one of them ! Her Dad used to say that the Thomas Waghorn Statue on Railway Street pointed to the toilets under the New Road viaduct. As a young girl, her impression of Chatham was that it was brim full of Public Houses.
Rob Young and Elsie – Pentagon Shopping Centre, Chatham. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Christopher Tipping
One of our brilliant badge-makers working with Xtina Lamb. Pentagon Shopping Centre. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Christopher Tipping
‘These are our Streets’ – Postcards handed out at the Pentagon Shopping Centre. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Christopher Tipping
WE HAVE THE POSTCARDS !
…and we wore the T Shirts!
Chatham Placemaking Project. Pentagon Shopping Centre. Image: Christopher Tipping
AND WE WORE THE T SHIRTS !
Very grateful to Shelly Goldsmith, Senior Lecturer in Fashion Textiles: Print at UCA Rochester for producing the shirts for us at very short notice !
Some enthusiastic badge-makers ! Pentagon Shopping Centre. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Christopher Tipping
Badges made at our Pentagon Shopping Centre workshop day. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Christopher Tipping
Chatting about Chatham’s History at the Pentagon Shopping Centre. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Rob Young
Photographs of Chatham past and present helped to jog memories and start conversations. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Rob Young
Photographs of Chatham past and present helped to jog memories and start conversations. Chatham Placemaking Project. Image: Rob Young
CHATHAM UP – Ideas for Magazine layout –
Blog, Chatham Placemaking Masterplan, Education, Public Art, Public Realm
Chatham Placemaking Project – Draft artwork for Chatham Up Magazine. Image & Artwork: Christopher Tipping
Chatham Placemaking Project – Still image from an episodic film series by Simon Williams & Rob Young with additional graphics by Xtina Lamb.
The Fish Finger – by Rob Young. Chatham Placemaking Project.
Draft page for print proposal. Text by Rob Young – Still Images from documentary film by Simon Williams. Chatham Placemaking Project.
‘Is This You’, Draft Page layout – Chatham Placemaking Project. Artwork: Christopher Tipping – Text by Rob Young – Photograph by kind permission of Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre.
Guildhall Museum, Rochester & Rob Young, Writer
Blog, Chatham Placemaking Masterplan, Education, Public Art, Public RealmOn Tuesday 3rd May, Rob Young & I had a meeting with Rachel Kerr, Project Coordinator (100 Objects That Made Kent) and the Education Officer, Jeremy Clarke at The Guildhall Museum, High Street, Rochester. We were looking to explore opportunities for us all to collaborate in some manner during the project, taking advantage of the Museum Collections cultural importance to Medway and its outreach work with the community – particularly in education and schools.
Rob is very keen to build this relationship into his commission and has already submitted a wonderful proposal for an engagement with St Michaels Roman Catholic Primary School, who are already working with the Museum on an arts award educational project, focussed on the Statue of Thomas Waghorn on Railway Street and a portrait of whom hangs in the Museum. The school is the most local to our project route. Rob is also keen to meet with The Friends of the Guildhall Museum to hear their thoughts about Chatham. Simon Lace, Medway’s Heritage Services Manager is also helping our cause by contributing a call out for stories by Friends of the Guildhall in their ‘about to be launched’ newsletter.
Thanks to all involved for your continuing help.
Interior stucco ceiling of the stairwell in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image: Christopher Tipping – reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester
A Portrait of Thomas Waghorn. Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image by Christopher Tipping – reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester
Ornate ceiling & Electrolier in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image: Christopher Tipping – reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester
Portrait of Sir Cloudesley Shovell, Admiral of the Fleet & MP for Rochester hanging in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image: Christopher Tipping – reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester
Isn’t that the most amazing name - Sir Cloudesley Shovell -
Ornate ceiling, electrolier and wall decorations in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image: Christopher Tipping – reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester
Ornate ceiling & electrolier in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image: Christopher Tipping – reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester
Rob Young, Writer, looking at vintage photograph in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image: Christopher Tipping – reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester
Jeremy Clarke, the Museum’s Education Officer – found this image for us of a young boy taken at the Photographic Studio of W. Kent, Photographic Artist at No 19 Military Road, Chatham – a great find for us right on our project route. I’m sure Rob will make some resonant response to this.
Photographic portrait of a young boy taken by W Kent, Photographic Artist at No 19 Military Road, Chatham – in the collection of Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester.
Photographic portrait of a young boy taken by W Kent, Photographic Artist at No 19 Military Road, Chatham – in the collection of Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester
Photographic portrait of a young boy taken by W Kent, Photographic Artist at No 19 Military Road, Chatham – in the collection of Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester.
Figure in Diorama in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image by Christopher Tipping reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester
Beautiful and magical three mast rigged ship in the Guildhall Museum, Rochester. Image by Christopher Tipping reproduced courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester
Temporary Artist Commissions –
Blog, Chatham Placemaking Masterplan, Public Art, Public RealmThe Chatham Placemaking Project appointed 3 artists for the temporary programme – it feels anything but temporary to me as all the artists are contributing massively to the project and their individual and collective output in terms of film, writing and graphics has been creative, original and has added to my perception and understanding of this project – of Chatham – and how we relate to this community as well as our client Medway Council. It is an exciting time for me – & hopefully for Rob, Xtina and Simon too.
Simon and Rob have already engaged independently with the local community – calling in at shops and offices along our route down Railway Street and Military Road, building relationships with people. They have further collaborated on a series of short films, which explore and create a vision which underpins our project – the first of which we are hopeful will be given it’s Chatham premiere via the Big Screen this evening. Xtina is delivering the first of her print workshops on Saturday at The Pentagon Shopping Centre, which will encourage the local community to take part in simple printing techniques to explore themes around our project in words and motifs. Rob & I will be there too – collecting stories from people and hearing about their association with the town. Check out the Facebook page for more information on this event –
Xtina Lamb runs Medway Fine Printmakers from this building at Chatham Intra on Chatham High Street. Image: Christopher Tipping
Xtina Lamb was commissioned to run a series of print based workshops in ad hoc places – such as the Pentagon Shopping Centre – and also from her workshop and business premises – Medway Fine Printmakers – at Intra on Chatham High Street. She is also a graphic artist in her own right contributing to the visual language and interpretation of the project.
Xtina Lamb in her studio at Chatham Intra, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping – by kind permission of Xtina Lamb
Xtina Lamb’s studio at Chatham Intra, Chatham. Image: Christopher Tipping – by kind permission of Xtina Lamb
Costume Hire Shop – Chatham High Street, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping
Costume Hire Shop – Chatham High Street, Kent. Image: Christopher Tipping