Something More Permanent Than Concrete
25 March 2017
Something More Permanent Than Concrete print and badges
Ellen Wilkinson: Something more permanent than concrete
For the Orchard Engagement Programme, writer Ellen Wilkinson produced a collection of short statements that evoke ideas about future possibilities. She sees The Orchard – which is yet to fully mature – as a place of possibility and potential, that requires us to imagine its future, and therefore our own.
Ellen’s printed ‘slogans’ were designed to be made into badges that reference the bright, playful design of fruit stickers. Different editions could be collected and edited to read something unique by each wearer. A bag of seeds and planting instructions were also offered, with the hope that, like the badges, the project would be spread by the people who took part.
Ellen’s print, along with a badge-making machine and instructions were available to use at Whitchurch Library throughout the Engagement Programme, and the print and ready-made badges were also available at all Orchard events.
On Saturday 25 March 2017 Ellen ran a badge-making workshop at Whitchurch car boot sale.
About the writer
Ellen Wilkinson is a writer and artist who lives and works in Bristol. She recently contributed to Low Tides, a biannual artists’ joke book, and her work has been shown nationally and internationally, including at The Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle; Loop Festival of Video Art, Barcelona; and PACT Zollverein, Essen. Commissions include Sleeping in Public, a collaborative moving image work with artist Katie Davies, for Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery (2017). For more information visit her website: www.ellenwilkinson.co.uk