Re-dressing Absence
In response to an invitation to participate in Stroud International Textile Festival 2009, the two local artists Angela Findlay and Shirley Margerison have collaborated to create an intensely poignant work, entitled "Re-dressing Absence". It involves five site-specific installations placed at key points within Stroud Cemetery, The Memorial Chapel and the vaults of the Cemetery Gate Lodge.
The festival's themes of 'memory, decay and repair' led them to research a subject rarely, if ever, given attention - that of the unmarked graves and unknown stories of thousands of paupers whose bodies were taken unceremoniously from the nearby workhouse to lie in Stroud's historic Cemetery.
Many of these seemingly anonymous people had fallen on hard times but were once teachers, weavers, watchmakers and labourers who made vital contributions to the Stroud Valley's development and its subsequent wealth and prosperity. Others, with perhaps fewer chances in life, were described in death records simply as "imbeciles", "No business" or "male infant found in canal".
Building on Angela's long-standing use of mud and sand in her paintings of moody skies and Shirley's fascination with materials and process, the two artists have chosen ash, hair, earth, cloth and words to bring to life stories that highlight the sharp social and economic contrasts both in life and death in the Victorian era and in so doing engage the 21st century visitor in unexpected opportunities for contemplation.
"Re-dressing Absence" takes place over two weekends:
Saturday 9th/Sunday 10th May and
Saturday 16th/Sunday 17th May 2009, 11am - 5.30pm
at: Stroud Cemetery and Lodge, Bisley Road, Stroud, GL5 1HG
Artists' Statements
A shared interest in memory, history, a sense of place, and a keenness to create site-specific works brought Angela Findlay and Shirley Margerison together for this their first artistic collaboration. Noticing the complementary nature of their work, the two artists seized the opportunity to work together and bring to fruition this ambitious and unusual project. Since 2008 they have been involved in an on-going process of negotiation, evaluation and decision-making to arrive at the final pieces. Aesthetic similarities, an ease of communication and respect for their differences have been key to the success of this joint venture and the two artists look forward to developing their collaborative and site-specific work.
For further information please contact Angela.