Commissions
‘Wave’ a mixed media installation by Jo Lee. Originally commissioned to celebrate The International Day of Older People on 1st October 2009 at Leeds City Museum which coincided with a conference on the subject held at the same venue it links with the International Day Of Older People theme: a celebration of, “Older People & Leeds; Past, Present, Future”. Wave has also been shown at Leeds Civic Hall, Leeds City Library and most recently at Donisthorpe Hall Care Home.
The installation comprises of 100 hands which were cast from 100 residents of Leeds ranging from 3 months to 100 years old - it includes generations of families from great grandchildren to great grandparents. The project focussed mainly on the residents of three Leeds care homes, however other Leeds residents, young and old were invited to participate to help widen the appeal of the project and involve a larger range of generations. Through one to one and group discussions with the artist, the participants shared their wealth of stories, histories and memories and were introduced to and involved with new mixed media techniques.
A sea of hands, mounted at 'person height' represent 100 people residing in Leeds today. The manner of their display creates a wave like effect, representing the wave of the generations. Young and old. Inseperable. Flowing into each other. Intermingled. We are all the same species, we are all old people in training. The photographic memories of an older generation are shared and held by the hands. A passing on of stories, histories and events from one generation to another. Combining all generations, the installation highlights their connectedness, and challenges perceptions of the elderly.
Commissioned by ESA and funded by Leeds City Council, the project explores issues of isolation and dignity and investigates people's life stories through focusing on photographs and reminiscing. The project aims to raise the awareness of a growing ageing society within the visual arts sector and begins an exploratory process for ESA looking at how the arts are responding to an ageing society.
As a follow up to these event Jo Lee's installation will be brought to ESA's Patrick Studios later in the year to coincide with a symposium looking at how the visual arts and artists can connect with the older generation - more details to follow soon.
RIP:
Jean Hirst : b.1930 - 2010 Resident at Donisthorpe Hall Care Home
Billy Vincent : b.1915 - 2010 Resident at Donisthorpe Hall Care Home
Edith Fyfe : b.1915 - 2009 Resident at Headingley Hall Care Home
http://www.esaweb.org.uk/page.asp?sectionIdentifier=2008721_44633120