Today's the day- the culmination of weeks of hard work and building partnerships. I admit I had mixed feelings the morning we turned up at the Hospice. Instead of the usual prep for a workshop, we progressed from the moment we were sufficiently assembled, making trips from Zoe's car to the pavilion. First off, I was astonished at the volume of equipment we managed to cram into such a small vehicle... but then it was the fact that all this material emanating from the car consisted of things we had made. I was aware of the individual elements we had succeeded in constructing, but seeing it all come together coherently was amazing. The sun was once again beating down on us whilst we watched the garden space transform with every table we installed and the bunting being put up. There was a clear sense of camaraderie felt with every staple and frantic application of blu tack. How satisfying.
That being said, my mind began to race as visitors slowly filtered in. Some were unfamiliar, but the elation evident in the patients rolling in helped alleviate my anxiety. As the day went on, I settled into more. I took a step back, just to observe now I was done busying myself amongst stalls. The facial expressions of those watching the projections on our dolls were even more animated than our flash videos. Perhaps not superficially so, but those miniscule changes in their visage let me know that they were indeed responding to every word. Further intriguing was the depth of conversation some of the patients initiated with our inanimate, but evidently inviting plush dolls.
The quilt was breathtakingly beautiful; it was an accomplishment fully put down to Izzy's expertise and diligence. I couldn't help but feel; guilty when I heard how she worked into the night to complete it. But every stitch was a labour of love and I think the finished product was all the better for it.
Amidst the cakes and cordial, the sunshine and the smiles of the patients, I think we all quietly found the closure to the project. Though it was planned, there was no big speech, no fanfare to announce the end of our collaboration. There was no need. The wave of happiness that washed over that place gave us our wordless leave. Something in our heads told us 'Well done. We made it.'
'Thank you'
Thursday, July 15, 2010
The Big Day
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Celebration Day
People started to arrive and created the buzz we wanted. Everyone was chatting and making new friends and it felt like such a nice atmosphere. When Jimmy arrived I was so thrilled by the look on his face when I introduced him to my doll. When we first met, craft wasn’t his thing, but on Celebration Day he told me that I had got him into it. The quilt had been completed and was hanging at the back on the room. Instead of a guest book we decided that people would sign the quilt talking about their experiences and how it had been for them. One signing was really moving which said ‘In memory of Nancy. Who was a lovely friend and loved every minute of your workshops’ which made me really happy.
Although it was a really beautiful day, there were some things that made me realise where we were. A family were outside with a young man in a hospital bed, although they were beyond upset it made me smile to think our instillation brought a tiny bit of happiness to them on that day.
Overall, I will always remember this day and project for the rest of my life. I have got so much from the project if it be experience, confidence in craft and most of all amazing friendships with all ages.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Celebration!
It started off with a bit of a hectic rush; getting everything ready, but as soon as the patients and our guests started to arrive the pavilion began to fill with happiness and enjoyment. It was so amazing to see what we had been planning really happening and how well the idea behind this project had worked. All of the patients were really excited to see their doll and to see what everyone else’s doll looked like. It was great to hear how much they liked the final result, especially as some of them were a bit sceptical in the beginning.
This project was something that greatly affected me, especially as it coincided with something that was happening in my own life as well. It was such a privilege to have gotten to experience this and see what a wonderfully joyful, welcoming and beautiful place a hospice can be. Whilst in the celebration day a friend of one of the patients I had been working with came along to see the doll of her friend who had sadly passed away. Something that greatly touched me was when she asked if she could perhaps take the doll of the patient; Nancy, to be given to Nancy’s granddaughter. I felt this to be such a compliment on the doll that she felt it was good enough that it could be given to her granddaughter who she told me was very close to her Nan.
At the celebration day I also came across a patient that I had never met before; Rose. She told me that she was a bit of an expert at making plush dolls herself; even creating some that were sold in funding for cystic fibrosis and raised £400 each! She told me that she also had some other plush toys that she had made recently and took me to see them so that I could get a private view of her newest work. They were amazing!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The St.Christopher's Finale!
It was lovely seeing everyone from St. Christopher's come and see the work as well as seeing others come to the show and support the work we had been doing over the past few weeks.
I am a little sad now that it's all over with, as I enjoyed the project to much! I truly has been an inspirational set of weeks.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Our last Day went really well. We set up quickly with no problems. After setting up I went and sat on a bench and saw there was a patient in their bed outside with their family. I didn’t see who the patient was but I guessed old. Some women in her late 20’s was with them and kissed the patient on the cheek but continuously doing it and then burst into tears. I walked over to be slightly noisy and realized that the patient was only in his late 20’s or so as well. All the time being at the hospice and nothing really hit me, but seeing that did. I felt pretty bad having a celebration day while his family where probably spending the last couple days with him.
Celebration day went well and I reckon all the patients and their family really enjoyed the final outcome and the fact that it was a little different to all the other stuff they had done. I went round listening to all the others and kinda realized that everyone’s video kind of seemed maybe a little bit more opened. I also notice people seemed more closer to there patients and I reckon I was avoiding having some heart to heart conversation, by joking around and stuff and I kind of regret that although I did enjoy joking around and I did hear some good stories. The day was good and won’t be forgotten for a long time!
What an amazing day!!!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Our Celebration Day
- sunshine - check
- a real buzz from everyone - check
- smiles - check
- tears - check
- technology working properly with no faults - check
St Christopher's Celebration Day
Celebration Day
Friday, July 2, 2010
The Last Workshop
We have all come a long way throughout this project, learning from each other, sharing stories, having group discussions that really brought to surface a lot of emotions and many other experiences.
When it comes to the Celebration Day I think it is going to be an emotional affair, but at the same time really amazing and I cant wait to be a part of this finale.
Ron and I
Our last workshop at St. Christopher’s went well. Ron and I spoke more than we worked, which we seemed to do in all the workshops. We didn’t seem to talk about anything interesting but was just making jokes together and persuading him to come next week for the celebration day. Ron left quite early so me and Dee got talking to one of the carers, which we both found interesting, finding out why she does it and a different side to what happens in the hospice and their view on the patients and their family.
My final workshop
From day one till today, we have all experienced a massive spectrum of emotions, from sad and frustrated to happy and excited and today was no different. We met with the patients we had been working with to start putting the finishing touches on our dolls, these were things such as; buttons, pockets, embellishment's.
Today's workshop was really interesting for me, mainly due to Carlton. Today we sat and talked about Jamaica and how his church, the Jehovah's Witness's operate. I learnt so much i probably never would have if it wasn't for Carlton, and i made sure to thank him at the end of the workshop for sharing more of his world knowledge and opinions with me.
We shook hands and parted ways and i caught the bus home confused. I was looking forward to the celebration day next week but at the same time i was also slightly upset about it being the last time i get to hang out and shoot the breeze with Carlton..
Nearing The End...
After last week, I really wasn’t sure what to expect. The sun was shining as the group came in to begin the workshops we had organized for our last time at St Christopher’s hospice. I was excited to show Jimmy my progress with his plush doll. He liked it a lot and said it was very smart, which was the look I was going for. We didn’t do much craft work as he had to leave early and it was out last time one on one, so we spoke until he had to leave. He unravelled more about his life and I got to know him that little bit more. When he had to leave I continued to add finishing touches to the doll, he requested a handkerchief, which I made, and for his creeper brogues to be filled which are now completed. I am thrilled with the outcome and it makes me smile to know that I have made it with Jimmy and his input. I am looking forward to next week but as the celebration day nears, I’m finding it upsetting. I have tried to hold back the sadness I feel when I think of leaving but at the end of the day it will be filled with happiness and celebration.
A Better Day
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Applique Patch Workshop
St. Christopher's - 4th Workshop
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Zoot Suit
Showing Jimmy my progress with the doll was such a great feeling, as the look on his face showed it wasn’t what he had expected. As he used to wear a ‘Zoot Suit’ so we began the workshop sketching out what the final garments will look like and made a start on the shoes. I taught him how to blanket stitch and was thrilled that he picked it up so quickly. Throughout the workshop Jimmy and I had a good chat with each other and also with Matt and Ron who were sat next to us. As I was the only girl I was an obvious target for teasing! As a pair we accomplished a lot and the counselling at the beginning really helped with everyone’s moods and confidence. It was such a lovely day and the weather was beautiful so I left the hospice feeling refreshed and hopeful for the upcoming weeks. It is going to make me quite upset when we finish the project but will stay with me for life.
A Hard Time
St. Christopher's - 3rd Workshop
We had a small break afterwards which I think we all needed, then we got back to the Pavillion to set up our workshops.
It has to be said that this workshop seemed to be alot more cheery than last week, and everyone seemed to be talking and laughing and getting on well with eachother. I worked with the same Mary from last week and I got her to do some embroidery of a flower, and I got talking to another Mary who was observing what was going on in the workshop.I think that this was the nicest workshop so far.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
The Third Workshop
Workshop no.3
Emotionally, I have found this project very challenging, much more than I had expected. It’s clear when you go to the hospice that everyone there works tremendously hard to make it a positive place, and that’s what it is. It doesn’t feel like a hospital, it doesn’t feel like a sad place to be. However, the conversations that we have with the patients do cause a kind of introspection which is hard to ignore, and can make a person feel quite low. The flipside of this, though, is that we have an opportunity to meet some truly amazing people, and pay tribute to their lives. After this last workshop, I feel much stronger in what I’m doing, as though I’ve jumped that emotional hurdle and now I can just concentrate working on the doll for Eileen, and enjoy that.
Joe and Helen
Neither of the patients that I have been primarily working with was able to attend this workshop, so I was working with some different people. I got to meet up with Joe again and met a new patient; Helen. Both Helen and Joe made really beautiful patches for the quilt we will be making as a gift for St Christopher’s Hospice.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
His clothes
After everyone got everything they had to off their chest, we started our making sessions with the patients we were working with. Unfortunately, Carlton had a little trouble with sewing and cutting so I did the best I could to involve him in what I was doing as much as possible by talking him through everything I was doing and asking him if he had any creative ideas on how to sew or cut the clothes.
Then Carlton, his wife and myself went outside so I could film his reply to the questions, how do you want to be remembered and tell me an interesting story from your life.
Until next week...
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Ron
He wants to go on another cruise with his wife but isn’t completely sure whether it is going to be possible or not because of his health issues. This made me realise how health can change quickly and that I should really put the most effort into what I want to do and make the most of it. The other thing I found out about Ron was that he is quite protective and looks after people, helping them out or just making them feel comfortable and keeping them company. He told me about how his wife looks after an elderly person. These things made me think how capable he still is and how he realises how lucky he is compared to other people and their health issues. Ron is quite happy with his life and seems to be fulfilled by what he has achieved.
Workshop No.2
Second Workshop
I was working with George who is such a character and a really lovely guy! He talked about his wife, the army, his budgies and other interests and hobbies which was extremely funny and moving.
It’s a real pleasure to be working with George as i find his stories are fascinating. When we started to work on his plush doll, it was a real laugh, I got him drawing out how he wants to look, calling himself a “Right fat lad!” We are incorporating aspects of his history, childhood, wife and what he looks like now.
We also filmed George talking about how he wants to be remembered and his wife, he read out a beautiful poem and I can’t wait to start my flash animation in relation to this video.
Both George and I find this project really fun and exciting. Making the plush with him is going to be such a joy. Even after just one session, the stories shared and the memories of his childhood told, I can tell how great this outcome is going to be as it is already such a fantastic experience I am having already.
Plushy Prep
For our third visit to St Christopher’s Hospice we had prepared plush dolls of ourselves as examples of how the plush dolls of them could look. The workshop this week was all about planning out the plush dolls of the patients. We did this by talking to them about what they would want it to be like, inspired by other artist examples of plush dolls and by the patients lives. We then did some concept drawings showing the doll from the perspective of the patients and of the students. This week I was working with two patients from the Hospice; Nancy and Clement. Through my discussions with Nancy I learnt that when she was younger she was a professional singer and that she felt that could work really well for the plush doll of her. Clement talked about him being a carpenter and that his plush doll could show him in a position of making something, showing his really active personality. I found this workshop helpful for developing ideas for the plush doll and also really interesting to learn about these people’s lives.
St. Christopher's Second Workshop
We arrived at St. Christopher's for the third time, and I must admit I was feeling alot more confident about meeting people today. The hospice did not seem so worrying to me. We got the Pavilion and we began to draw up a small plan for plushies we thought would represent ourselves so we could show an example to whoever we would be working with today. We then set up our little workshops and waiting for people to start arriving.
After a while, we began to see familiar faces starting to walk through the door. I began my work with two lovely ladies, Shirley and Mary. Mary was familiar to me, as she worked on the cross stitch table with me. I got speaking to them and I got them to tell me all about themselves to gain information for their plushies I got to know about their families, their past, their personalities, etc. I then got them to draw what they thought they may look like, and then I showed them my interpretation of that drawing. It really was a wonderful morning getting to know people.
Designing the Doll
My stuff gets real
So if you're joining this from the last entry I posted, you would already know that we have met all the people in the group we are working with. This time we were paired up with one person each from the group of St. Christopher's patients. I was chosen to work alongside a man called Carlton.
We sat down behind one of the tables we had placed in the cabin and began to talk. He seemed almost anxious about talking to me about anything at first and I had no idea why. So after a few minutes of me talking to him I decided I would put myself in his shoes to try and get to grips with what he must have been feeling; some 17 year old kid was trying to find out everything he could about his life so he could make a doll of him. I would have been apprehensive at first as well.
However, after about 20 minutes of me trying to ask questions I levelled with him. I told him that I had spent ages writing down questions to ask him and now, after meeting him, all those questions seemed so useless because I had started to think that no amount of questioning could describe Carlton as well as he could. So I asked him, tell me about you.
I soon started to find out that this man was part of the old school generation. The kind that valued respect and common courtesy above a lot else. He had so many thoughts about, well, everything I could think of. I learnt so much in that session, like the differences between religion and god, the earth and I'm pretty sure he would hate me for saying, but his extremely keen hatred of the colour pink.
Here was a person who, when asked what clothes he wanted on the doll of himself replied, “oh nothing much really, plain white vest, plain cardigan, plain trousers and a black pair of leather shoes”. In today's society, within my group of friends, clothes kind of represent who you are and what style you are into. But to him, they were meaningless.
To be completely honest, this doll is going to be hard. Because unless you have met Carlton and actually talked to him at length about his thoughts and what means a lot to him, you would have no idea what kind of person he was. So the clothes and this doll wont really be anything special, because he doesn't want them to be, the animation that is going to be projected onto the doll's face...Well, that's where the magic is going to happen...