Port to Port
Across June, we presented a new commission Port to Port by Sophie Giller at The Battery of Ideas, in partnership with The Art Station.
Port to Port is an ambitious, travelling installation project composed of large- scale patchwork sails, handmade by Sophie in collaboration with local community groups through a programme of workshops. The project explores themes of place, memory, and identity, drawing on traditional crafts and storytelling. The project celebrates Suffolk's maritime heritage and the collective memories of its coastal communities.
During the workshops, participants are invited to contribute personal memories, images and favourite objects. These elements were then printed, collaged, drawn and stitched onto textiles to create the stunningly beautiful sails which sit on handcrafted benches. Over the next 12 months, the artwork will journey between three coastal towns – Lowestoft, Ipswich and Felixstowe – growing and transforming at each stage.
On Wednesday afternoons throughout May, workshops took place at The Battery of Ideas with groups of refugee women from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan and Kosovo. The women who joined us took part in tile painting – and the circular tiles, adorned with personal memories, made their way into the handmade wooden benches. The imagery included birds, sunsets, Ukranian flags, childhood toys, boats and herring.
During the mono-printing workshops, participants used fabric scraps, leaves and bubble wrap to create textured prints alongside personal drawings.
Alongside, the creative workshops we loved seeing how the participants lunch plans evolved. The workshops took place from 1pm –3pm so in order to not miss lunch participants brought delicious food from around the world which seemed to evolve into a mass picnic. We tasted Ukranian cakes and spicy stuffed vine leaves to name a few.
Port to Port can be seen at The Battery of Ideas until Saturday 28 June. The work has been made by Sophie Giller and presented in partnership with The Art Station.