Ceramics 2002-4
Artist: Jane Hufton
The mosaic is the culmination of a yearlong ceramics residency at the Grange Day Centre 2003-4. In that year we explored many themes about what the Day Centre means to people, how we all feel about the aging process, and a sharing of values, ideas and histories.
I think one of the most inspirational attitudes that emerges from the service users and staff at the Grange is, “that if you don’t have a go, you will never know” and I have been delighted by the willingness and character of everyone that has been involved.
People have had the opportunity to learn ceramic techniques through workshops, twice weekly. This in turn led to people developing their own ideas and projects to make personal items for themselves or gifts for family and friends.
The theme of the mosaic here is transition and change: Journeys in life.
It was important from the outset that the ceramic element to the improved entranceway would not conflict or detract from existing works and would harmonise with new elements such as the oak doors.
In workshops we discussed ideas such as the seasons of ones life as a journey and factors or transitional times that shape and influence us, such as education, family & work and we developed pictorial metaphors to try and represent those factors. I was able to collate information from other projects as a way of including the widest range of personal ideas.
The concept of the mosaic was to make strands or "pathways" of images in the form of pattern, colour and words, that flow and cross each other, sometimes emerging slightly differently from where they set off; an echo of the journeys we all make through life.
The idea of time passing is described in the first panel by a large, deliberately ambiguous hourglass shape.
Each of the single printed images of people enjoying events and activities made possible by attending the Day Centre represents a single grain of sand. It is meant to celebrate diversity, opportunity and a community sharing those things.
The strands of acorns represent new life whilst the falling autumn leaves hint at the other end of the sectrum.
The hands in the sky are wishes, hopes, angels and a reminder that we must aim high in life. They are actually handprints of some of the people who attend the Day Centre and refer back to a creative writing project that took place in the early stages of the Grange Arts programme. There are the more obvious gestures of night and day as part of the cycle of life. But in our sharing of thoughts and aspirations for the panels, it was seen also to be relevant as a metaphor for describing happiness, health and positivism against the darker, less happy times, neither can exist without each other.
The tree, another symbol of life and the transitions we go through, is seen to be growing from a book denoting the pleasure and importance of reading for many and of education as a means of broadening horizons. The footsteps are supposed to represent recreation and enjoyment. Are they dancing or perhaps making their way to the bar?
The water pattern was designed to ebb and flow across the walls, seen as the essence of life by many and an essential part of the history and culture of Tyneside, it peters out finally and turns to sand bringing us to the idea that although nothing goes on for ever, the journeys we make as individuals are interconnected, valuable and as remarkable as the voyage that each grain of sand makes.
As a preamble to the final artwork as part of the residency and, supported by Scottish & Newcastle Breweries, we made a new mosaic sign for the day centre which at 20 feet long and with no previous experience on behalf of the participants, was no mean feat. Each single piece of tile was carefully positioned, requiring considerable skill and patience!
Jane Hufton
Supported by:
Kellett Fund at Community Foundation and Newcastle City Council Arts Development Team
