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| Prestongrange
Mining Museum |
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| Artist
in Residence - Textiles- 2003 |
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In the summer of 2003, Jeanette worked in a studio space given
to her as part of her residency on the site of Prestongrange Mining
Museum, East Lothian. It was an old switch gear room at the Colliery
& was in rather a state of neglect. Jeanette & friends
soon had it looking like an artist studio with a lick of paint,
new fitted work-tops & all her equipment & materials.
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"I
used an old treddle sewing machine to help create the right
atmosphere."
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Jeanette
was one of three artists selected for the residency program in
2003. They jointly held an exhibition, 'Handmade' which was on
show at the Powerhouse for two months in the summer of 2003.The
project was funded by The Scottish
Arts Council & run by East Lothian Council Arts Service
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| Jeanette
outside the old brick furnace |
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"It
was a wonderful place to work with a good feeling. The kids
were great & some would come round to the studio when they
weren't at school"
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"One
day a week I visited Harlawhill Day Centre, Prestonpans .We shared
stories about old times and I learned a lot about salt panning,
brick making and the colliery. In return I brought in my computerised
sewing machine and we made felt hangings based on Prestongrange
site." |
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"The
women did an awful lot of darning in those days 'making do &
mending', so I incorporated this in the work" |
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The
brick kiln chimney seen through one of Jeanettes 'felt darnings'
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| ...hearing
stories of how it use to be..."Talking to the
young & the old of Prestongrange gives you huge perspective.
The retired workers from the mines & the men & women of
the brick factories had a wonderful pride in their community despite
the hard work. It was a wonderfully humbling experience." Some
of the photographs of the time bear testament to this. Jeanette
incorporated photographs in her work. These were provided by the
History & Heritage Services of East Lothian Council in Haddington. |
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| Old
photographs of miners & the pit wheels seen through a
darning |
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inside
of the Hoffman brick kiln north wing |
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| An
installation of woolen boots, carefully darned at places, going
down a shaft. A ghostly feel of history evoking memory of past
times. Part of the exhibition finalising the residency. Click
any image to see more images of the exhibition
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A
group of toolmakers framed in hand made paper made out of plants
found at Prestongrange site. "The soil seems very rich
at the site and you do find some unusual plants".
Plants used in this work are botlea, stingy nettle and rose
petals.
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One
of the six felt hangings created during the workshops at Harlawhill
Day Centre, Prestonpans. This hanging shows the arches of the
Hoffman kiln and bricks on the right hand site.
All
hangings now adorn the walls of the Day Centre |
| Jeanette
preparing for the main work...inspiring the local children &
helping them to make felt pictures & wall hangings |
| arranging
colours for the wall hangings |
"It
was a bit of a sun-trap right outside the studio & working
outside was a joy" |
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Many hands........
Work at Prestonpans
Home for the Elderly
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| &...back at the
studio, friends, collegues, but best of all locals & local kids,
came by & got involved |
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60a High Street
Newburgh, Fife
Scotland KY14 6AQ |
email: Jeanette
landline: 01337 841004
mobile: 07813 023607 |
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