We have established the concept for the Figures of Tyne Artwork - see previous post here - and are working through the design, research and engagement activities.
So far we have created a weekly Figures of Tyne Art Group made up from members of the Urban Sketchers Tyne Wear and Tees. Initially we met at Cafe 16 at St Nicholas Cathedral but are now meeting at the Laing Art Gallery cafe.
We spend some time looking at the storylines and from there we hit the streets sketching the subjects that arise from our discussions.
There are so many subjects to choose from in the city but what we have done is design a concept template. This has plenty of scope for contributors to develop their own ideas for the storylines that can replace/overlay the visual template.
So far we have added Thomas Bewick and his woodcut of the Chillingham Wildlife Cattle. The links to the city are his workshop in Amen Corner and Bewick Square where you can see a bronze plaque of his woodcut of a bull. So viewers of the finished sculpture will be able to visit two sites in the city that have buildings that link back to the sculpture and the Thomas Bewick story.
Other initiatives that are being developed are a series of “chap-books”. These are small concertina sketch stories that focus on one or more storylines sketched onsite and followed up with research and a narrative that takes the viewer from the present and back to the past.
How does this work?
As an example I have created my first chap-book describing three beautiful buildings: Manors Power Station, Clarendon House and Northern Goldsmiths. I was really fascinated by Manors Power Station - now City Church - as it takes us back to the early days of electricity in the city as well as to a really amazing women in Rachel Parsons. She took over C. A. Parsons when her brother Algernon “Tommy” was called up for military service in WW1. She was a great advocate for women’s employment rights.
You can download a PDF of the Chap-Book here. Others in the group have been looking at their own stories that have captured their imagination and developing their own chap-books. These are all being printed as short print runs and being made available to the upcoming Urban Sketchers Conference in Newcastle.
We have the Newcastle City Guides going us and have a number of workshops planned for them and other groups. If you are interested in joining the Figures of Tyne Art Group please get in touch with me here.