Connecting landscapes through creativity
A new arts project will forge fresh links for people with two of the North’s finest landscapes. Tony Henderson reports.
Five artists have been chosen to deliver a new project which will focus on landscape and environmental issues across two of the North’s most scenic areas.
Creatively Connected, backed by £100,000 from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, and also by Arts Council England will involve the North Pennines National Landscape team and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority in focusing on Teesdale and Swaledale.
The artists will explore topics such as hill farming, conservation, and nature restoration.
The project, managed by County Durham community arts organisation Northern Heartlands, aims to help a wide range of groups to creatively connect in new ways with the environment and nature inspired by the Teesdale and Swaledale landscapes.
Northern Heartlands works with people living in the rural areas of Teesdale and Weardale, and the towns and villages of the former Durham coalfield.
Based in Barnard Castle, it brings the creativity of artists together with individuals, community groups, schools and partner organisations to create performances, activities and events that change how people feel about themselves, the places where they live, and what happens there.
The project artists are:
Tim Shaw and John Coburn from Wild Museum, which makes physical and digital creative programmes, working with communities, arts, heritage and environmental organisations.
From post-industrial towns to rural spaces, their work explores relationships with place, people and the changing natural world.
Formed in 2021, Wild Museum is a collaboration between producers, researchers, artists, technologists and educators based in the North East.
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John started Wild Museum after working as creative director at Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children’s Books in Newcastle, and before that digital programmes manager at Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums - now North East Museums
He co-manages Duke’s Hagg Wood, an ancient woodland in Northumberland where some Wild Museum programmes are researched and developed. He is also a founder-trustee of Chopwell Regeneration, an award winning resident-led charity addressing social inequality in the Gateshead village.
Tim Shaw works with sound, light and communication media, presenting musical performances, installations and participatory programmes, Tim is interested in how communication technologies change the way we experience the world.
John said: “We are excited to explore Swaledale and Teesdale, the land and its people, its farmlands and fells, its historical trails and waterways, its caves and subterranean ecologies.
“Working with groups, we will create sound and listening opportunities that inspire alternative ways of knowing these places.”
Azadeh Fatehrad, from Darlington, Professor in art and public policy at Teesside University, who uses film, photography and installation art to reflect local social and environmental challenges.
She said: “I’m excited about this project because it offers a unique opportunity to deepen my exploration of the relationship between communities and their surrounding environments.
“Engaging with the rich cultural and natural landscape of Teesdale and Swaledale, I will reflect the local voices and experiences of the farmers, conservationists and other diverse groups across the area.”
Laura Harrington, who lives in Newcastle, works across a variety of methods and media, including filmmaking, audio visual installation, sound, drawing, fieldwork and listening.
Her work considers the relations between humans and landscapes. Peatlands, uplands and rivers have been a regular focus of her work.
Laura said: “I’m interested in how creative approaches can create a deeper understanding of nature and the environment. I look forward to working with farmers, landowners, local residents and conservationists to create unique creative perspectives from this landscape.”
Matt Denham is a visual artist based in Newcastle. Working across video, installation and photography, his work explores shared experiences of physical, virtual and psychological environments in a changing society.
Matt said, “I am looking forward to spending time with the local farmers, individuals, landscapes and flora of Teesdale. This is a unique opportunity to develop my recent work exploring the value of low-intensity farming systems to our natural environment.”
Patrick Oulton, Tees-Swale programme manager with the North Pennines team, said: “Creatively Connected provides unique opportunities for groups to discover the hidden qualities of the landscape throughout Teesdale and Swaledale. “
Mark Corner, member champion for the natural environment at the Yorkshire Dales National Park said: “We are excited to see what this talented group of artists produce as they begin their creative journey to explore the stunning landscapes of Teesdale and Swaledale and creatively shine a light on the challenges faced by upland farming communities and the importance of nature recovery.”