Across RCA is the Royal College of Art’s annual week long series of cross-disciplinary projects. Laura Copsey and I have run projects called 'Islands' in 2017 and 'Maritime Traces' in 2018. These projects both involved a field trip followed by a group exhibition.
ISLANDS 2017
In response to the UK’s decision to further its islandness in 2016, we have become interested in Islands – borders, utopias as well as the seclusion, unique historical functions and ecosystems islands have developed. Islands often serve unusual functions related to their isolation (prison, hermitage, colony) and can adopt unique societal structure and culture. Although an island hosts the potential for seclusion, romance and freedom, for many throughout history the reality of island life is hardship, self sufficiency and the enduring presence of the sea. We are united by an interest in the trace and layers which for Emma resonates around geology and for Laura surrounds history and narrative. During Across RCA week, thirteen artists and designers from the Royal College of Art embarked on an 2 day expedition, leaving the mainland for the Isle of Sheppey off the coast of Kent. We identified Sheppey as a location to visit as it has interesting historical and natural history. By using walking as a method to explore the physical and psychic layers of historic and geological time, we encountered a dystopian collage of natural and human-made traces. On a walk along the northern coast of the island, fossils crunch underfoot, while clay cliffs shift and the tide comes and goes to reveal hollowed shipwrecks and military landmarks jutting out from the clay like ghosts of a time when defensive warfare was Sheppey’s raison d’être. The exhibition, informed by the expedition is a response to the fieldwork and concepts explored the trip.
With thanks to the Sheppey Islanders who enthusiastically supported our project:
Steve, Shelia and Charlie from Leo Bay Caravan Park, Jenny from the Criterion Music Hall and Suzanne from Castle Connections.
AcrossRCA // In collaboration with the Royal Amateur Expedition Society
In response to the UK’s decision to further its islandness in 2016, we have become interested in Islands – borders, utopias as well as the seclusion, unique historical functions and ecosystems islands have developed. Islands often serve unusual functions related to their isolation (prison, hermitage, colony) and can adopt unique societal structure and culture. Although an island hosts the potential for seclusion, romance and freedom, for many throughout history the reality of island life is hardship, self sufficiency and the enduring presence of the sea. We are united by an interest in the trace and layers which for Emma resonates around geology and for Laura surrounds history and narrative. During Across RCA week, thirteen artists and designers from the Royal College of Art embarked on an 2 day expedition, leaving the mainland for the Isle of Sheppey off the coast of Kent. We identified Sheppey as a location to visit as it has interesting historical and natural history. By using walking as a method to explore the physical and psychic layers of historic and geological time, we encountered a dystopian collage of natural and human-made traces. On a walk along the northern coast of the island, fossils crunch underfoot, while clay cliffs shift and the tide comes and goes to reveal hollowed shipwrecks and military landmarks jutting out from the clay like ghosts of a time when defensive warfare was Sheppey’s raison d’être. The exhibition, informed by the expedition is a response to the fieldwork and concepts explored the trip.
With thanks to the Sheppey Islanders who enthusiastically supported our project:
Steve, Shelia and Charlie from Leo Bay Caravan Park, Jenny from the Criterion Music Hall and Suzanne from Castle Connections.
AcrossRCA // In collaboration with the Royal Amateur Expedition Society
Expedition to the Isle of Sheppey, October 2017
'Islands' exhibition, The Hockney Gallery, Royal College of Art, November 2017 | Click here to see my drawings from this project.
MARITIME TRACES 2018
Inspired by an oral history from a maritime folk song ‘Three Score and Ten’ about a great storm, we started the week with a singing workshop led by The London Sea Shanty Collective and with the atmosphere set, we then set off on an expedition to the East Anglian coast, to research traces of maritime heritage in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Using walking, objects and discussion as methods of enquiry, we explored the physical and psychic layers of historic and geological time, considering how the sea has impacted on the heritage and landscape and how its enduring presence continues to play a role in the region. We based ourselves in Great Yarmouth. An exceptionally layered place for historical, natural and industrial traces, located on thin strip of land sandwiched between the forces of the North Sea and the River Yare on an ever-shifting coastline of eroding cliffs. We walked along the coast to Lowestoft, the most easterly point of the UK mainland where waves crashed against weathered sea defences that try to protect the crumbling cliffs behind. We visited the Lowestoft Maritime Museum and learnt about the different phases in the town’s history, once a thriving port and centre for boat building, Lowestoft has in recent years experienced significant economic decline however it is now becoming a centre for renewable energy with off shore wind farms based nearby. Both locations were significant bases for the fishing industry, where huge numbers of people would descend in search of herring - the ‘silver dahlings’. We visited The Lydia Eve fishing drifter, learnt about life onboard and the herring trade which brought considerable prosperity to the towns, but the industry suffered a steep decline in the late 20th century and has now all but disappeared. Millions of day trippers continue to visit the beautiful coastline, try their luck on the 2p machines or visit the famous Hippodrome circus. Both Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft are continuing to evolve - traces remain, everywhere. The exhibition is informed by the expedition. We each responded to the places, ideas and people we encountered - including the following East Coasters who generously gave their knowledge, time and enthusiasm to support our project:
With many thanks to: Kaavous Clayton and Julia Devonshire (artists) : Original Projects, Great Yarmouth, Roy and the volunteers at Lowestoft Maritime Museum, Maurice, the two Johns and Len from the Lydia Eva Fishing Trawler, Lalia Sumpton and Chris Wilson from the London Sea Shanty Collective
AcrossRCA // In collaboration with The Artist Expedition Society
Maritime Traces Expedition to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, October 2018
'The Sea: Our Other World' Exhibition, The Courtyard Gallery, Royal College of Art, November 2018
