Between Silence and Light

AN ILLUSTRATED RECORD BETWEEN SILENCE AND LIGHT

AN ARTS INTERVENTION FOCUSING ON CULTURE, HEALTH AND WELLBEING IN SOUTH WEST CUMBRIA

From: MONDAY 05.07.2019

To: TUESDAY 31.08.2020

Contents

Introduction 1 Part Four: Between Silence and Light Exhibition 23

Part One: Learning the craft of stone carving 1. Stone carving: Irene Rogan 25 Stone carving tuition (Introduction) 3 2. Photography: Jem Freiesleben 29 Stone carving tuition (Progression) 4

3. Stone carving by workshop participants 32

Part Two: Slate Standing Stones 4. Spoken word event including poetry 33

No 1. RSPB Hodbarrow, Haverigg 7 Part Five: additional community activities No 2. Millom 10 1. Cinecaravan: storytelling film workshops 34 No 3. The Green and Hallthwaites 13

2. Gleam 1 art competition Millom residents 38

Part Three: Stone carving workshops Acknowledgements 41 1. Millom 17

2. The Green and Thwaites 19

3. Silecroft 21

PREPARED BY IRENE ROGAN 2021 art in the wild and on your doorstep 1

Introduction

Between Silence and the Light represents the most recent stage in the professional development of artist Irene Rogan.

Specifically, this project provided the opportunity to explore working with a new medium: stone. Working alongside experienced stone carvers this project gradually afforded Irene the opportunity to evolve her practice introducing more conceptual elements to the stone carving process. In addition, the new project pursued what has been an ongoing commitment to community engagement and developing new audiences for the arts.

The impetus to develop Between Silence and Light was derived from an exploratory initiative piloted in 2018.

The Making of a Cultural Landscape (Moving

Mountains Art 2018) was based in Millom (South

West Cumbria) and received funding from Arts

Council England alongside generous local support

(both financial and in-kind). This initial project provided opportunities for members of the local community to explore wide ranging creative activities typically within a workshop environment and led by an experienced professional artist. The :Sunken Kirk . Photo: Jem Freiesleben workshops, aimed at people of all ages and abilities, included mosaic making, engineering, walks and storytelling, photography and film. The feedback from these sometimes challenging activities suggested a need for more extensive regional arts provision, in particular within small rural communities.

Between Silence and Light, was devised to build upon Moving Mountains 2018 and to stimulate individual and group participation in more focused creative arts activities. Drawing participants from within the communities located along the West Cumbrian coast emphasis was placed on examining ideas relating to a sense of place. Workshops were designed to encourage members to explore ideas of her/his relationship to the surrounding landscape alongside a sense of belonging and rootedness.

However, it was important for workshop activities to be seen as informing a bigger outcome, for participants to be contributing to something beyond the immediate workshop environment. Research indicated that West Cumbria is an area in which ancient standing stones and stone circles form a significant part of landscape character. These

It was proposed that Between Silence and Light would lead to the creation of three new standing stones (each to be over two meters in height) thus engendering a sense of continuity. However, the new stones were, unlike their predecessors, not going to be simply monumental it was decided that they should also contain a narrative element.

The stones were to be carved with images specific to the site in which they were to be located.

Stone sculptor Danny Clahane was engaged to act as adviser; providing tuition, leading workshops and contributing to the carving of the new stones. In addition, Jem Freiesleben was engaged as project photographer, documenting work as it progressed and providing an exhibition in which the new stones and workshop projects were set in juxtaposition to large scale images of the more significant local stone circles.

With special thanks to:

Millom Town Council for support, Burlington slate for donating the stone and Beckside Farm (Whicham) for providing temporary workshop facilities.

Stone carving space at Beckside Farm, Whicham with slte stones selected for carving and creating the standing stones.. Photo: Irene Rogan

Part One - Learning the craft of stone carving

1. Stone Carving Tuition (Introduction)

Shawn Williamson stone sculptor and Irene Rogan during the first day of stone carving tuition at Gordon Greaves Slate Ltd, Windermere Below: Irene’s work bench for tuition first stage. Photo Gordon Greaves.

The first phase of stone carving tuition focussed on slate, understanding the different types, properties and tonal qualities. Secondly to become familiar with the tools and the skills required in order to use them. This led to producing early designs for carving a surface relief in order to explore possible light and texture

2. Stone Carving Tuition (Progression)

Burlington Slate Ltd, Kirkby in Furness. Photo Irene Rogan

Burlington Slate Ltd , Kirkby in Furness

who offered a generous donation of

slate stone for the standing stones

project. Danny Clahane, stone sculptor

accompanied artist Irene Rogan to the

quarry, to advise on selecting slate

stones for the project each stone up to

2.5 metres height and weighing up to

500 kilograms each.

Photos: Danny Clahane Photos: Irene Rogan

In this phase it was possible to move on to learning how to use traditional techniques for splitting larger pieces of stone, prepare the surface and finally begin to apply low relief work; see early designs for bees to be applied to later standing stone.

Photos: Irene Rogan

Danny Clahane and Irene Rogan ‘dressing’ the slate stone in preparation for design developments and a demonstration of stone cutting slate stone with an electric cutter.

Part Two: Slate Standing Stones

No 1. RSPB Hodbarrow

Hodbarrow, once the site of Millom's industrial heritage, was selected as the location for the first standing stone.

The former ironworks is now a nature reserve managed by the RSPB. Illustrations applied to the surface of the stone reflect the changing importance of the location for the local people from industry to recreation. In addition the stone contains words written by the Millom poet Norman Nicholson.

View from RSPB Hodbarrow overlooking nearby Lake District mountains.

Hodbarrow is now a site of considerable biodiversity including Orchids, Natterjack Toads and Sandwich Terns, a rare species now regularly breeding here .

Irene’s design development for the slate stone based on the Tern.

Robert delivering the RSPB Hodbarrow stone. Photo Jonathan Powell

BBC Radio Cumbria Neil Smith. Photo Irene Rogan

The installation of the RSPB stone with Robert Morris-Eyton

delivering the two stones, main sculpture and the plinth.

The site is a difficult to negotiate around the sea wall to the

location, with the old in windmill to the front the old stone

lighthouse to the rear, Cumbrian mountains to the left and

Lagoon now a key RSPB conservation area to the right.

Shortly after this, BBC Radio Cumbria Neil Smith visited and

Robert installing the RSPB Stone. Photo: Jem Freiesleben interviewed Irene Rogan on site.

RSPB Hodbarrow Stone Photo: Karen Jackson Smith

RSPB Hodbarrow, carved slate stone, 195cm x 50cm x 90cm, poetic words, and a

’hidden’ bee motif symbolising concerns with the environment. Standing stone, ‘ With breath of life, now land revived, the birds cry alive, alive’ Anon. Plinth, ‘Wings bright in the air, the sun spinning there, the wind in my hair.’ from ‘Across the Estuary’ by nationally acclaimed poet Norman Nicholson, Collected Poems, Faber and Faber.

2. Millom

Robert carefully moving the Millom Stone into the work space . Danny and Irene working on the Millom sone . Photos Irene Rogan

Robert Morris-Eyton moving the Millom Stone into the temporary workspace at Beckside Farm, Whicham Valley,

Danny Clahane letter carving.

Irene Rogan testing her newly acquired carving skills on the Millom Stone.

Design development images of iron-ore infused sand, molecular structure of iron designs and Giant’s Grave standing stones. Photos: Irene Rogan. Top right Millom Ironworks Archive

Inspiration came from the Iron Ore infused sand found in on local shores and Millom Ironworks (shown in the archive photo) became RSPB Hodbarrow some years after it was closed down. The molecular model of Iron is referenced in the design development. Giants Grave, Kirksanton, pictured, is one of the many ancient standing stones and circles in the area, influencing Irene’s designs for the Millom stone.

Formal Handing over of the Millom stone. Photos: Penny Moreton local photographer

The formal handing over of the MIllom stone to Millom Town Council. Pictured: Angela Dixon, Mayor of Millom,

Robert Moris-Eyton, Bexkside Farm, Whicham who generously provided space for the temporary workshop and (in front of the stone) artist Irene Rogan.

The stone has poetic words ‘’Hidden Earth, Red Rock Ore, Iron Beneath Our Feet’ anon.

The side panel with the words: ’And Red As Haematite’ by Norman Nicholson a poet many works deal extensively with the Ironworks and the aftermath of the closure as well the local natural and built environment.

3. The Green

The Green and Thwaites Felll. Photos Irene Rogan

Irene’s research involved a process incorporating a search for the source of Black Beck on nearby fells. The beck runs through the centre of the Green before finding its way into the Duddon Estuary. The Green with the memorial tree in front of the well-known Punch Bowl Inn visited by Wordsworth, them memorial tree and 2020 being

International Year of Trees and Forests informs the designs.

INVITATION

Come to the Punchbowl Inn, The Green on Thursday 5th March 6-7pm as Irene presents her ideas for the slate standing stone All welcome !

Consultation for the standing stone for the Green

covered meetings with the Parish Councillors of Millom

Without Parish and The Hill Village Hall residents

committee, South Copeland Partnership, as well as a

presentation at the Punch bowl Inn at The Green.

The stone features an extract from Wordsworth’s poem

from the Duddon Sonnets titled ‘Tributaries’

‘Of yon pure water from their aery heights’.

Design for The Green’s stone by Irene Rogan

Standing stone for The Green: All photos Irene Rogan

The Green and Hallthwaites stone night and day time with details of the front and back of the stone featuring references to local natural environment and heritage.

Part Three: Community Stone Carving Workshops

Stone carving workshop. Photos Irene Rogan

1. Millom, 2 .The Green and 3. Silecroft

Free stone carving workshops with Danny Clahane and Irene Rogan in

and around Millom and villages, each workshop involved two days

carving with an exhibition held later in the year.

1. Millom

Participants of the stone carving workshop outside The Tin Chapel, Millom with local residents and members of

MIND and selections of their stone work .

Participants and stones. Photos Irene Rogan

Danny Clahane and his

encouraging teaching style

made the group feel confident

in completing the two-day

workshop.

Millom workshop stone

carvings by people who had

never tried stone carving

before or designed or had

drawn for a long time.

Participants and stones. Photos Irene Rogan

2. The Green

Thwaites Village Hall and The Green participants (age range six to seventy plus) during the early stage of the stone carving workshop and the carvings produced.

Photos: Irene Rogan

Selection of stone carvings by participants at The Green stone carving workshop. Photos Irene Rogan

3. Silecroft

Stone carving workshop and work. Photos : Irene Rogan

Three miles north of Millom participants came from two nearby villages, all delighted with their achievement.

A selection of stone carvings from Silecroft participants. Photos Irene Rogan

Part Four: Between Silence and Light Exhibition

Exhibition poster by Irene Rogan 23

With volunteer help an abandoned high street shop in Millom town centre was transformed into a gallery space.

This intervention in a town that has neither a gallery nor a community centre was greatly appreciated by the local community and, due to successful promotion, succeeded in attracting visitors from outside the area.

Exhibition Photo: Penny Moreton

A selection of stone carvings on display during Between Silence and Light opening event and admiring visitors.

1. Irene Rogan

Photos: Irene Rogan

Irene’s first stone carving attempts, slate bee early carving practice and a limestone owl.

Stone carving inspired irene’s long

term research and interest in

diatoms, microorganisms found

found in most water bodies.

Top Bacillariineae

Left Amphitetras antidediluvians

diatoms from SEM images from Dr

Mary Tiffany’s extensive collection

and experimenting with gilding.

Photos: Irene Rogan

Irene’s work table sculptures of diatoms left: Bacillariineae right: Amphitetras antidediluvians and irene working on the slate standing stone

Foreground : Diatom microorganism and sunlight inspired carving in limestone stone incorporating gold leaf gilding Background: Slate stone sculpture, lettering and gilding

2. Jem Freiesleben

Sunkekirk Stone Circle Swinside. Photo Jem Freiesleben

Jem Freiesleben (photographer) collaborated with Irene asthey identified four sites situated between Silecroft and the Duddon Estuary as the focus for this project: Giant’s Grave, Lacra, Sunkenkirk, and Ash House Stones Giant's

Grave, Lacra, Sunkenkirk and the Ash House Stones were frequently visited and photographed throughout the duration of the project. These images subsequently informed project development with a selection forming a key part of the final exhibition.

Ancient Sites

The exploration was undertaken using old OS maps drawn up in the 1800’s, which can be directly compared with modern mapping. All the sites, with the exception of Ash House Stones, are found on the 130+ year old maps, the

Ash House Stones are a more recent addition.

The aim of the work was to document how these ancient monuments exist within the landscape to be presented as they would be perceived by any observer in this age; importantly the project does not attempt to explain the monuments or their purposes.

Photos: Jem Freiesleben

Top Sunkenkirk Stone Circle beneath Swinside bottom Giants Grave stones, Kirksanton.

Ash House foreground a single stone remnant from what is believed to have been part of a stone circle and in background the a small summer house .

Giant’s Grave poster one of seven, containing detailed information on each of the stone circles created by

Jem Freiesleben to accompany the exhibition.

3. Stone carving by workshop participants

A selection o of stone carving, participants , the group known as the ‘Stone Circle’.

4. Close-up spoken word event featuring Kate Davies

Top The audience enjoying Kate Davies readings and Kate bottom l to r Julia Parks filmmaker, Julia Rice reading and Jane Micklethwaite Soprano, sang later on, Jeg Grey entertains with amusing readings. Photos Irene Rogan

An important component of the Between Silence and Light project was to explore themes relating to place and identity. The spoken word event provided a forum for poetry produced throughout the project. Poetry readings were provided by the author Kate Davies alongside works by local residents, artists and writers. Vanessa Winship photographer winner of the prestigious Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson in Paris Award shared her work at the event. Jane Micklethwaite Soprano san, Julia Rice read fro her favourite works and the Mayor Angela Dixon read her own poem at the opening of the event.

Part Five: Additional Community Activities

Poster: CINECARAVAN 34

1. Cinecaravan

Participants joined in free workshops in

scriptwriting, sfx techniques for using

cameras on mobile devices, editing,

how to storyboard their ideas and

finally create a short film using their

mobile phones!

All accomplished in just three days, led

by Cinecaravan directors working with

participants putting the final touches to

their first ever documentaries. Telling

their own stories.

Photos: Irene Rogan

Cinecaravan screening event transformed The Working Men’s Club, The Bear on the Square. Millom, into a film theatre and following the screenings, Q & A afterwards with the lead directors of the workshops which were free to all participants and free entry to cinema audience.

‘Eye of the Storm’ by Bill Amos a dramatic tale

told from inside a carwash

www.facebook.com/113268786690567/ videos/371341373811857 (Sound On).

‘Pool Dream’ by Kevin McNally

https://youtu.be/Othsi7OxNMc (Sound On).

Workshop participants and Cinecaravan international directors from UK, Japan, Brazil and Poland

No.2 Gleam Art

Adrienne Jessop ‘Concentration whilst painting a pebble’ Winner Individual entry selected by guest judges artists

Anna Dixon and Toby Jennings , Nottingham

Winners

Celeste Freiesleben ‘Crow’

Ink on paper

May Mallory (8) ‘Potted Flow-

ers’

Judges comments:

‘The drawing of the crow

looked very alert and the flow-

ers looked very direct and

fresh’ Photos in the competition by the artists

WINNER PEOPLE’S CHOICE

Lesley Skelton ‘Cartoon of my dog

Doyle’, Acrylic on canvas.

An outright winner of Gleam Art

People’s Choice

Artworks enjoyed by the public

Thumbnails l to r Individual entry :

Julia Rice ‘Fox ‘mosaic,

Simone Faulkner ‘Siamese Cat,’

Acrylic..

Bottom l to r :Family entry : Angela

Dixon ‘Sunflowers’, oil Grace

Turner ‘Deer,’ watercolour

Individual entry Michael James

Adereley, ‘Haverigg,’ Watercolour All photos in the competition by artists

Acknowledgements

South Copeland Partnership

Ghyll Scaur Community Fund

Millom Town Council

Millom Without Parish Council

Angela Dixon Mayor of Millom

Norman Nicholson Society

Dave Blackledge RSPB Hodbarrow

Morris Eyton and staff - Beckside Farm, Whicham Valley

Ravenstonecroft Properties for the Lapstone Road Shop

Richard Scott

Paul Wilson

Lady Mary Jardine

The Workies, The Bear on the Square, Millom

The Stone Circle stone carving participants

Kate Davis poet reading The Girl Who Forgets How To Walk

Spoken word event participants

Celia.

Julia Rice poem from the MIND group members' poetry book

Jeg Gray reading from Mind Over Matter

Angela Dixon poem to ‘Our Mad Artist

Jane Micklethwaite. Soprano

Vanessa Winship photographer displaying her book of photographs

Baptist Church Millom

Cinecaravan International Director

Thwaites Village Hall and The Green residents

volunteers

Emma Bowers

Paul Wilson

Dave Baker

Adrianne Calsy

Jeff Calsy

Tall Paul

Gail Grey

Jem Freiesleben