Reading Between The Lines, Cumnock

A series of site specific sculptural forms sparking memories, 2022

Project Summary:

Community Engagement

3D Artwork Design

Pattern Design

Project management

Installation

‘Reading between the lines’ references the lines carved into the landscape from the mining and farming industries. These industries dominate the history books and ultimately led to the town’s expansion and development over the years. When reading between the lines of this well known history we discover the stories and memories of local people, the life they lived and the true history of the town.

Working collaboratively with elderly members of the community, in particular those living with dementia we uncover their memories and celebrate their stories. Designs reveal details that spark fond memories allowing residents to reminisce about the past and experience the present environment through contemporary artwork within the new memories garden in Cumnock.

We developed the themes and ideas for the artwork in collaboration with the community through a variety of engagement sessions at the height of the pandemic. Creating a postcard project for those who wished to communicate via writing, we established a pen pal relationship with the participants. They responded to the images on the postcards sparking conversations about their experiences of living in the town.

We chatted to many members of the community on the phone, they shared some really interesting memories and stories and it was a pleasure to get to know them and hear about their lives.