Between Silence and Light

Introduction by Paul wilson

Between Silence and the Light represents the most recent stage in the professional development of artist Irene Rogan. Specifically, this project provided the opportunity to explore working with a new medium: stone. Working alongside experienced stone carvers this project gradually afforded Irene the opportunity to evolve her practice introducing more conceptual elements to the stone carving process. In addition, the new project pursued what has been an ongoing commitment to community engagement and developing new audiences for the arts.

The impetus to develop Between Silence and Light was derived from an exploratory initiative piloted in 2018. The Making of a Cultural Landscape (Moving Mountains Art 2018) was based in Millom (South West Cumbria) and received funding from Arts Council England alongside generous local support (both financial and in-kind). This initial project provided opportunities for members of the local community to explore wide ranging creative activities typically within a workshop environment and led by an experienced professional artist. The workshops, aimed at people of all ages and abilities, included mosaic making, engineering, walks and storytelling, photography and film. The feedback from these sometimes challenging activities suggested a need for more extensive regional arts provision, in particular within small rural communities.

Between Silence and Light, was devised to build upon Moving Mountains 2018 and to stimulate individual and group participation in more focused creative arts activities. Drawing participants from within the communities located along the West Cumbrian coast emphasis was placed on examining ideas relating to a sense of place. Workshops were designed to encourage members to explore ideas of her/his relationship to the surrounding landscape alongside a sense of belonging and rootedness. However, it was important for workshop activities to be seen as informing a bigger outcome, for participants to be contributing to something beyond the immediate workshop environment. Research indicated that West Cumbria is an area in which ancient standing stones and stone circles form a significant part of landscape character. These

:Sunken Kirk . Photo: Jem Freiesleben

It was proposed that Between Silence and Light would lead to the creation of three new standing stones (each to be over two meters in height) thus engendering a sense of continuity. However, the new stones were, unlike their predecessors, not going to be simply monumental it was decided that they should also contain a narrative element. The stones were to be carved with images specific to the site in which they were to be located.

Stone sculptor Danny Clahane was engaged to act as adviser; providing tuition, leading workshops and contributing to the carving of the new stones. In addition, Jem Freiesleben was engaged as project photographer, documenting work as it progressed and providing an exhibition in which the new stones and workshop projects were set in juxtaposition to large scale images of the more significant local stone circles.

With special thanks to:

Millom Town Council for support, Burlington Slate for donating the stone and Beckside Farm (Whicham) for providing temporary workshop facilities.

Stone carving space at Beckside Farm, Whicham with slte stones selected for carving and creating the standing stones.. Photo: Irene Rogan

Part One: Community Stone Carving Workshops

1. Millom, 2 .The Green and 3. Silecroft

Free stone carving workshops with Danny Clahane and Irene Rogan in and around Millom and villages, each workshop involved two days carving with an exhibition held later in the year.

Stone carving workshop. Photos Irene Rogan

Participants of the stone carving workshop outside The Tin Chapel, Millom with local residents and members of MIND and selections of their stone work .

Participants and stones. Photos Irene Rogan

Danny Clahane and his encouraging teaching style made the group feel confident in completing the two-day workshop. Millom workshop stone carvings by people who had never tried stone carving before or designed or had drawn for a long time.

Photos Irene Rogan: Participants and stones.

Thwaites Village Hall and The Green participants (age range six to seventy plus) during the early stage of the stone carving workshop and the carvings produced.

Photos: Irene Rogan

Selection of stone carvings by participants at The Green stone carving workshop. Photos Irene Rogan

Three miles north of Millom participants came from two nearby villages, all delighted with their achievement.

Stone carving workshop and work. Photos : Irene Rogan

A selection of stone carvings from Silecroft participants. Photos Irene Rogan

Part Two - Learning the craft of stone carving

1. Stone Carving Tuition (Introduction)

The first phase of stone carving tuition focussed on slate, understanding the different types, properties and tonal qualities. Secondly to become familiar with the tools and the skills required in order to use them. This led to producing early designs for carving a surface relief in order to explore possible light and texture

Shawn Williamson stone sculptor and Irene Rogan during the first day of stone carving tuition at Gordon Greaves Slate Ltd, Windermere

Below: Irene’s work bench for tuition first stage. Photo Gordon Greaves.

Burlington Slate Ltd , Kirkby in Furness who offered a generous donation of slate stone for the standing stones project. Danny Clahane, stone sculptor accompanied artist Irene Rogan to the quarry, to advise on selecting slate stones for the project each stone up to 2.5 metres height and weighing up to 500 kilograms each.

Photos Irene Rogan : Burlington Slate Ltd, Kirkby in Furness.

2. Stone Carving Tuition (Progression)

In this phase it was possible to move on to learning how to use traditional techniques for splitting larger pieces of stone, prepare the surface and finally begin to apply low relief work; see early designs for bees to be applied to later standing stone.

Photos: Danny Clahane

Photos: Irene Rogan

Photos: Irene Rogan

Danny Clahane and Irene Rogan ‘dressing’ the slate stone in preparation for design developments and a demonstration of stone cutting slate stone with an electric cutter.

No 1. RSPB Hodbarrow

Hodbarrow, once the site of Millom's industrial heritage, was selected as the location for the first standing stone. The former ironworks is now a nature reserve managed by the RSPB. Illustrations applied to the surface of the stone reflect the changing importance of the location for the local people from industry to recreation. In addition the stone contains words written by the Millom poet Norman Nicholson.

View from RSPB Hodbarrow overlooking nearby Lake District mountains.

Hodbarrow is now a site of considerable biodiversity including Orchids, Natterjack Toads and Sandwich Terns, a rare species now regularly breeding here .

Irene’s design development for the slate stone based on the Tern.

The installation of the RSPB stone with Robert Morris-Eyton delivering the two stones, main sculpture and the plinth. The site is a difficult to negotiate around the sea wall to the location, with the old in windmill to the front the old stone lighthouse to the rear, Cumbrian mountains to the left and Lagoon now a key RSPB conservation area to the right.

Shortly after this, BBC Radio Cumbria Neil Smith visited and interviewed Irene Rogan on site.

Robert installing the RSPB Stone. Photo: Jem Freiesleben

Robert delivering the RSPB Hodbarrow stone. Photo Jonathan Powell

BBC Radio Cumbria Neil Smith. Photo Irene Rogan

RSPB Hodbarrow, carved slate stone, 195cm x 50cm x 90cm, poetic words, and a ’hidden’ bee motif symbolising concerns with the environment. Standing stone, ‘ With breath of life, now land revived, the birds cry alive, alive’ Anon. Plinth, ‘Wings bright in the air, the sun spinning there, the wind in my hair.’ from ‘Across the Estuary’ by nationally acclaimed poet Norman Nicholson, Collected Poems, Faber and Faber.

RSPB Hodbarrow Stone Photo: Karen Jackson Smith

Robert Morris-Eyton moving the Millom Stone into the temporary workspace at Beckside Farm, Whicham Valley, Danny Clahane letter carving.

Irene Rogan testing her newly acquired carving skills on the Millom Stone.

Robert carefully moving the Millom Stone into the work space . Danny and Irene working on the Millom sone . Photos Irene Rogan

Inspiration came from the Iron Ore infused sand found in on local shores and Millom Ironworks (shown in the archive photo) became RSPB Hodbarrow some years after it was closed down. The molecular model of Iron is referenced in the design development. Giants Grave, Kirksanton, pictured, is one of the many ancient standing stones and circles in the area, influencing Irene’s designs for the Millom stone.

Design development images of iron-ore infused sand, molecular structure of iron designs and Giant’s Grave standing stones.

Photos: Irene Rogan. Top right Millom Ironworks Archive

The formal handing over of the MIllom stone to Millom Town Council. Pictured: Angela Dixon, Mayor of Millom, Robert Moris-Eyton, Bexkside Farm, Whicham who generously provided space for the temporary workshop and (in front of the stone) artist Irene Rogan. The stone has poetic words ‘’Hidden Earth, Red Rock Ore, Iron Beneath Our Feet’ anon. The side panel with the words: ’And Red As Haematite’ by Norman Nicholson a poet many works deal extensively with the Ironworks and the aftermath of the closure as well the local natural and built environment.

Formal Handing over of the Millom stone. Photos: Penny Moreton local photographer

Irene’s research involved a process incorporating a search for the source of Black Beck on nearby fells. The beck runs through the centre of the Green before finding its way into the Duddon Estuary. The Green with the memorial tree in front of the well-known Punch Bowl Inn visited by Wordsworth, them memorial tree and 2020 being International Year of Trees and Forests informs the designs.

The Green and Thwaites Felll. Photos Irene Rogan

3. The Green

INVITATION

Come to the Punchbowl Inn, The Green on Thursday 5th March 6-7pm as Irene presents her ideas for the slate standing stone All welcome !

Consultation for the standing stone for the Green covered meetings with the Parish Councillors of Millom

Without Parish and The Hill Village Hall residents committee, South Copeland Partnership, as well as a presentation at the Punch bowl Inn at The Green. The stone features an extract from Wordsworth’s poem from the Duddon Sonnets titled ‘Tributaries’

‘Of yon pure water from their aery heights’.

Design for The Green’s stone by Irene Rogan

The Green and Hallthwaites stone night and day time with details of the front and back of the stone featuring references to local natural environment and heritage.

Standing stone for The Green: All photos Irene Rogan

Part Four: Between Silence and Light Exhibition

Exhibition poster by Irene Rogan

With volunteer help an abandoned high street shop in Millom town centre was transformed into a gallery space. This intervention in a town that has neither a gallery nor a community centre was greatly appreciated by the local community and, due to successful promotion, succeeded in attracting visitors from outside the area.

A selection of stone carvings on display during Between Silence and Light opening event and admiring visitors.

Exhibition Photo: Penny Moreton

Irene’s first stone carving attempts, slate bee early carving practice and a limestone owl.

1. Irene Rogan

Stone carving inspired irene’s long term research and interest in diatoms, microorganisms found found in most water bodies.

Top Bacillariineae

Left Amphitetras antidediluvians diatoms from SEM images from Dr Mary Tiffany’s extensive collection and experimenting with gilding.

Photos: Irene Rogan

Irene’s work table sculptures of diatoms left: Bacillariineae right: Amphitetras antidediluvians and irene working on the slate standing stone

Foreground : Diatom microorganism and sunlight inspired carving in limestone stone incorporating gold leaf gilding Background: Slate stone sculpture, lettering and gilding

Jem Freiesleben (photographer) collaborated with Irene asthey identified four sites situated between Silecroft and the Duddon Estuary as the focus for this project: Giant’s Grave, Lacra, Sunkenkirk, and Ash House Stones Giant's Grave, Lacra, Sunkenkirk and the Ash House Stones were frequently visited and photographed throughout the duration of the project. These images subsequently informed project development with a selection forming a key part of the final exhibition.

Ancient Sites

The exploration was undertaken using old OS maps drawn up in the 1800’s, which can be directly compared with modern mapping. All the sites, with the exception of Ash House Stones, are found on the 130+ year old maps, the Ash House Stones are a more recent addition. The aim of the work was to document how these ancient monuments exist within the landscape to be presented as they would be perceived by any observer in this age; importantly the project does not attempt to explain the monuments or their purposes.

Sunkekirk Stone Circle Swinside. Photo Jem Freiesleben

2. Jem Freiesleben

Ash House foreground a single stone remnant from what is believed to have been part of a stone circle and in background the a small summer house .

Giant’s Grave poster one of seven, containing detailed information on each of the stone circles created by Jem Freiesleben to accompany the exhibition.

3. Stone carving by workshop participants

An important component of the Between Silence and Light project was to explore themes relating to place and identity. The spoken word event provided a forum for poetry produced throughout the project. Poetry readings were provided by the author Kate Davies alongside works by local residents, artists and writers. Vanessa Winship photographer winner of the prestigious Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson in Paris

shared her work at the event. Jane Micklethwaite Soprano san, Julia Rice read fro her favourite

of the event.

Award

works and the Mayor Angela Dixon read her own poem at the opening

Top The audience enjoying Kate Davies readings and Kate bottom l to r Julia Parks filmmaker, Julia Rice reading and Jane Micklethwaite Soprano, sang later on, Jeg Grey entertains with amusing readings. Photos Irene Rogan

4. Close-up spoken word event featuring Kate Davies

Participants joined in free workshops in scriptwriting, sfx techniques for using cameras on mobile devices, editing, how to storyboard their ideas and finally create a short film using their mobile phones!

All accomplished in just three days, led by Cinecaravan directors working with participants putting the final touches to their first ever documentaries. Telling their own stories.

Cinecaravan screening event transformed The Working Men’s Club, The Bear on the Square. Millom, into a film theatre and following the screenings, Q & A afterwards with the lead directors of the workshops which were free to all participants and free entry to cinema audience.

Adrienne Jessop ‘Concentration whilst painting a pebble’ Winner Individual entry selected by guest judges artists

Anna Dixon and Toby Jennings , Nottingham

Photos in the competition by the artists

WINNER PEOPLE’S CHOICE

Lesley Skelton ‘Cartoon of my dog Doyle’, Acrylic on canvas. An outright winner of Gleam Art People’s Choice

Artworks enjoyed by the public

Thumbnails l to r Individual entry : Julia Rice ‘Fox ‘mosaic, Simone Faulkner ‘Siamese Cat,’ Acrylic..

Bottom l to r :Family entry : Angela Dixon ‘Sunflowers’, oil Grace Turner ‘Deer,’ watercolour Individual entry Michael James Adereley, ‘Haverigg,’ Watercolour

All photos in the competition by artists

Acknowledgements

South Copeland Partnership

Ghyll Scaur Community Fund

Millom Town Council

Millom Without Parish Council

Angela Dixon Mayor of Millom Norman Nicholson Society

Dave Blackledge RSPB Hodbarrow

Morris Eyton and staff - Beckside Farm, Whicham Valley Ravenstonecroft Properties for the Lapstone Road Shop

Richard Scott Paul Wilson Lady Mary Jardine

The Workies, The Bear on the Square, Millom The Stone Circle stone carving participants

Kate Davis poet reading The Girl Who Forgets How To Walk Spoken word event participants

Celia.

Julia Rice poem from the MIND group members' poetry book

Jeg Gray reading from Mind Over Matter

Angela Dixon poem to ‘Our Mad Artist

Jane Micklethwaite. Soprano

Vanessa Winship photographer displaying her book of photographs Baptist Church Millom Cinecaravan International Director

Thwaites Village Hall and The Green residents volunteers

Emma Bowers

Paul Wilson

Dave Baker

Adrianne Calsy

Jeff Calsy Tall Paul Gail Grey Jem Freiesleben