Postcards from the Plot is a project that encompasses many things, but at the heart of it lies the idea of creating connections. We have all had to work hard over the past months to stay connected and a realisation has struck many of us as to just how important it is to stay in touch, support each other and collaborate both in our work and personal lives.
Our project is enabling us to build on and create connections within our city and beyond, to share stories about how allotments have supported our wellbeing during lockdown and how they can and do continue to do so. Many of the artists that we are working with are keen allotmenteers and understand the value of these precious green spaces as places of creative inspiration, sustainable food production, wellbeing and connection with other people as well as with the natural world. In the series of commissions we are producing for Postcards for the Plot, we are connecting with the artists and specialists, but also crucially with their associated allotments. Today we thought we'd introduce you to a few of these people and their plots, with videos and workshops coming soon as part of the commissions, so watch this space. ! Linda Nevill printmaking at her plot on Oxbarn Avenue Allotments[/caption] Linda Nevill is a Fine Art Printmaker that has been creating art for many years, responding to a range of influences from the world around her. A recurring theme in her work is the natural and man-made landscape, and for her commission for Postcards from the Plot she has created a printmaking video tutorial from her plot at Oxbarn Avenue, Wolverhampton. Slightly smaller than Boundary Way at 20 plots, this allotment is another much needed green space within the city. We’re really looking forward to learning more about Linda’s printmaking techniques using plants from her allotment. We will be sharing the multi-sensory experience during the coming weeks. [gallery columns="2" size="medium" ids="3010,3011"] Kanj Nicholas is an artist that creates uplifting work including paintings, ceramic pieces and felt, but she is also a cookery expert who will be sharing a tutorial teaching us how to cook our own delicious Sri Lankan dish. As part of the project, Kanj will use fresh, seasonal produce grown at her local allotment on Compton Road, Wolverhampton to create a richly flavoursome meal that draws inspiration from sustainable food production and creative thinking. The recipe and video tutorial for this traditional dish will be shared in the coming weeks and we can't wait to give it a go for ourselves. [gallery size="medium" columns="2" ids="3013,3012"] Moving slightly further afield, our connections to allotments aren't only within the bounds of Wolverhampton. Hannah Ayre is a participatory artist, educator & producer based in Scotland. She creates everything from small-scale crafts to large-scale outdoor sculpture & events and, as part of Postcards from the Plot we are excited that she will be focusing on anthotypes. She’ll be taking us on a journey by bike from her home in Leith, Edinburgh to her plot where she will be exploring this type of sunprint that is created using plant materials, and will be also running an informative and ideas sharing workshop around anthotypes. Details and booking for the workshop can be found here. We are connecting far and wide and can't wait to start sharing these exciting commissions with you from across the UK. If you'd like to get involved, we'd love you to attend one of our online events or alternatively if you have your own stories of growing in lockdown we would love to connect with you and hear them. You can send us text and images via email at boundarywayproject@gmail.com. You can also use the hashtag #Postcardsfromtheplot to share your story on Instagram or Twitter. Deadline for sending images and text is Friday the 18th of September 2020. This project has been made possible thanks to emergency funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
