We’re really proud of all the work that our Artists in Residence made for SPINE 2020. But not only the work they made, but also all the work the children and participants made. Here’s a selection of artistic work from the festival for you to enjoy. Thank you to everyone who took part and we look forward to seeing you all again for SPINE 2021.
Westminster
Desree and Anusha Subramanyam were commissioned as the SPINE Festival 2020 Artists in Residence at Paddington Children’s Library. They worked with the library staff and members, family, community groups and schools to explore the festival theme “Our World” combining their expertise in poetry and dance. Watch one of the rehearsal videos titled ‘Water’.
Wandsworth
Safiya Kamaria Kinshasa and Helen Scully were commissioned as the SPINE Festival 2020 Artists in Residence at Balham libraries. They worked with the library staff and members, family, community groups and schools to explore the festival theme “Our World” combining their expertise in poetry and visual arts they created a beautiful anthology which you can read here:
Islington
Charlotte Bill and Jaspreet Kaur were commissioned as the SPINE Festival 2020 Artists in Residence at Lewis Carroll and West Libraries. They worked with the library staff and members, family, community groups and schools to explore the festival theme “Our World” in creating a moving film about climate change while using poetry, animation and film.
Brent
Malakaï Sargeant and Linnéa Haviland were commissioned as the SPINE Festival 2020 Artists in Residence at Wembley Library. They worked with the library staff and members, family, community groups and schools to explore the festival theme “Our World” in creating manifestos while using poetry, animation and film.
Greenwich
Polly Brannan and Laurie Fitzgerald were commissioned as the SPINE Festival 2020 Artists in Residence at Woolwich Library. They worked with the library staff and members, family, community groups and schools to develop a new story Shelley’s World using their collective skills and imagination in visual arts.
Shelley’s World is a story about a sea turtle called Shelley who takes us on adventure into the deep and magical ocean where she meets new friends and learns about the problems the creatures face from the pollution of plastic in the ocean. Along the way we meet Charlie the Dolphin and end up having a party in the Octopus’s Garden under the sea and finally they all learn to “Say No To Plastic!” and if you “Do Use, Re-Use!”
Every aspect of the story was developed by different groups. Participant’s made storyboards, props, scripts, puppets and set design and inspired the final fanzine with the story and a permanent new mural in the Children’s Library.
Shelley’s World was created with Plumstead Brownies and Guides, Foxfield School Year 4 pupils, Woolwich Library Messy Morning and Storytime groups and young library members.
