TWO artists are inviting residents to get creative as part of a mythical exhibition inspired by Leigh women from 200 years ago.
Artists Helen Mather and Anna FC Smith, both from Leigh, are working together on a project that covers the lives of those who formed the Leigh Female Reform Society.
The group were portrayed as witches for being politically active. This influenced the artists to create art to “empower people with magical energy” in an exhibition titled These Lancashire Witches Are Witches in Politics.
After studying political prints and writing from the era, Helen and Anna are creating ceramics and textiles.
And they are asking residents to get involved with their own art and research.
People are invited to go to Leigh Library every Friday between 10am to noon until March 13 for free banner embroidery workshops.
The banners will be displayed in an exhibition at The Turnpike this summer, where they will stand out like a forest.
Artists Anna FC Smith and Helen Mather
Anna and Helen gathering branches
An embroidery session at Leigh Library
READ > Community group's short-term future secure after National Lottery boost
Anna, 36, said: “We want to engage as many people as possible with the history of Leigh and to have as many people as we can represented in the work shown in the exhibition. We want people to feel passion about the history of their town and to consider how language is used to empower or disempower people to this day.”
Helen, 40, added: "“We’ve been working with the public through our open research sessions at Wigan and Leigh archives local studies and through workshops with children from the area who have created the designs for the banners.
"It means the whole project is a big collaboration with lots of new conversations happening either in person or through the works being made."
The reform society also marched to a meeting in Manchester on August 16, 1819, which turned out to be the Peterloo Massacre.
The exhibition will launch a season at The Turnpike centred on myth making.
Director of The Turnpike Helen Stalker said: “The project presents a terrific opportunity for us to reflect on Leigh’s extraordinary political heritage and address contemporary perceptions of how the town has been portrayed during recent political events.
"We’re delighted to support this project which is an important moment in The Turnpike’s commitment to profile contemporary artists who reflect and challenge the stories and debates prevalent in a town like Leigh.
"The Turnpike will be working with Anna FC Smith and Helen Mather to develop this new body of work towards an exhibition in their main gallery space.
"The exhibition will launch an exhibition season at The Turnpike centred on the idea of myth making."
Compassion in Action, St Josephs Catholic Primary School and Wigan STEAM have also been involved in the project.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel