Listen & Draw 2020
This project is a collaboration. Co-created through conversations between The Seaside Revival team at Open House Festival and Boom Studios.
It was inspired by conversations recorded in the Conversation Caravan from 2018 - 2019.
The work has been created through on going collaborative process and conversations between a group of local artists.
You can read the project blog here.
The project was facilitated by Robert Peters and the contributing artists were Marianne Kennerley, Marie-Therese Davis, Carla Hodgson, Aine McGreeghan, Jenni Robinson and Elaine Mcginn.
“Ann's Memory” (Original Size 29.7 x 42 cm)
Medium- Paper Collage, various papers, pen, pencil watercolours
“Ann's memory poem - Candy floss and lolly pops, seas foam kids moan, down to Barry's penny slots banana splits, rock pools, birds steal chips from salt and gossipy lips, tea stains fluffy clouds, good times, coke float, dance and showbands theres no place like Bangor. Theres no place like Bangor”
Carla Hodgson
Erin's Memory (Original Size 29.7 x 42 cm)
Medium - Mixed paper collage
This piece developed from my initial drawings of Erin's clip, I listened and wrote down key points that stood out to me, I made sketches then from the notes in black ink. The drawings later reminded of books from childhood days by Shirley Hughes, these started evoking feelings of nostalgia and reminiscing. Thinking about developing a back ground, I then went on to make bubble paintings using a restricted colour pallet on similar colour tones of paper inspired by colours of the 1980s..I started layering up the drawings and bubble papers, and using my photocopier to the reproduce my drawings on different backgrounds experimenting with textures tones to create the finished piece. I also used paper from my university days, I think my choices of paper have really help give the feeling fragmented memories and warm sunny days gone by.
'Conversation Caravan' (Original Size 21 x 29.7 cm)
Medium - Acrylic bubble painted paper, watercolour and pen
“I loved the caravan, the whole look of it instantly appealed to me..I drew it not expecting it to become a piece itself. To own a caravan is a dream of mine so they are objects of interest . The little birds on the side lent themselves well to flying off the van..free like a memory..with no boundaries so to speak..once I did the bubble paper it felt natural to redraw it there with a bit more intention...The bubbles give an intentional dream like feel to all of my pieces, and have an obvious connection to the fountain that gets filled with soapy suds..a memory I'm sure many have of Bangor.
Carla Hodgson
“Valerie's Wardrobe”
Digital Artwork
”Inspired by stories of dancing down at Pickie and mention of people putting on their "Sunday Best" to come to Bangor for the day
Aine McGreeghan
"..the pennies dropped"
Medium - Thread-sketch on found linen.
“Listening to conversations the memories of pennies came up regularly…an enabler to have fun.”
Marianne Kennerley
“Kicking Off on the Beach” (Original Size 21.0 x 29.7)
Medium: Indian Ink and Marker
Before I came to Bangor to live I had heard it was a ‘fighting town’. My cousin got hit with a tyre iron at a garage which seemed to prove the point. When I finally moved here the fighting part turned out to be wildly exaggerated though not unknown. When I heard Gary Lightbody talking about the dual nature of this seaside town I decided I would explore this aspect, placing people on the beach just before something kicks off.
Robert Peters
You can find out more about Roberts process here.
'Sliding down into Pickie Pool'. Original Size53.5cm x 64.5cm unframed.
Soft Chalk Pastels on card
“ Film footage from the Northern Ireland film archives recorded swimmers enjoying sliding down slides into the cool waters of Pickie Pool. I captured that first moment of sitting on the slide, getting yourself into position, that suspended moment in time mixed with fear, excitement and exhilaration before you let go!”
Listen and Draw 2020Marie Therese Davis
“Barry's Lemon Tops' Size 12.5cm x 16cm unframed.
Mixed media on stretched canvas.
“The famous Barrys Lemon Tops sold around Bangor and reintroduced to coincide with the Seaside Revival's reminiscences projects. In Northern Ireland we eat ice-cream all year round!”
Marie Therese Davis
'I remember coke floats...' A6 folded greetings card: image size 14.5cm x21cm)
Watercolour and ink on card
Marie-Thérèse Davis
'Candyfloss' A6 folded greetings card: actual image size 14.5cm x 21cm
Watercolour & Ink on card
“ When I listened to the discussions candy floss was mentioned...that image of lovely light, pink, fluffy, sugary, sticky candy floss, melting on my tongue at the seaside. I remember it sticking to my long hair on windy days and picking little bits of wispy sugar strands off with my fingers. Yummy!”
Marie Therese Davis
“Tonic, Toys Boats and Rose Tinted Spectacles”. 29.5cm x23cm unframed
Mixed media on watercolour paper.
“ Fishing on the White Heather, films at the Tonic Cinema, sailing toy boats in Ward Park...la vie en rose " Rose tinted spectacles". Reminiscing about your past frequently focuses on the good times and not the bad. We do this in order to preserve our psychological and emotional wellbeing, to treasure those precious moments as a positive boost when times are difficult. This positivity makes it particularly relevant to this project which has taken place during Lockdown 2020.'“
Harriet’s Beach. (Unframed 297mm x 420mm)
Mixed media collage with tar and ink.
Responding to memories shared on the Listen and Draw project. Relating to my grandmother’s holidays in Bangor co. Down. A layered archaeology of memory and shoreline.
Elaine Mcginn
Seaside Revival brings together six organisations representing different businesses and community interests in the town: Led by Open House Festival, our partners include Bangor Chamber of Commerce, North Down Community Network, North Down Development Corporation, Boom! Studios, and Main Street My Street.
Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund Great Place Scheme, Seaside Revival aims to re-position Bangor as a modern seaside town – the Brighton of Northern Ireland – with a distinctive cultural offer. Additional support is provided by Ards & North Down Borough Council.
