Filmed by Laurence Montalbo, Nosy Creative
Before watching our short film, here’s a bit of background on the Arts Council supported BZine project. The main ethos was to encourage creative experimentation and self-expression. One rule was there were no set rules, just an open, and joyful invitation to find your creative voice guided by creative practitioners Claire Speight and Maggie Sawkins.
These were bright sessions where all input was valued and curiosity ran rife. The resultant works are quite simply captivating and authentic. There’s depth, feeling and honesty woven into the images that is a gift to us, revealing the rich, wonderful world of others.
T Mikich
For some the project was a means to gently lead them back to a path they believed long overgrown and obstructed. For others being creative was an utter novelty and a way to connect with hitherto hidden powers of self-expression. Throughout the onus was on encouraging adventure and staying curious, free from any expectation or pressure. Participants found new strengths, conjuring their world into shape through poetry and paint.
As such the works have developed in contrastingly surreal, profound and charming ways. Some of the pieces are rooted in politics and a yearning for a fairer world where we are all valued and recognised, others just sit on the edge of nowness where lines have splendidly fallen out of the mind and tipped up onto the page.
Lewis Carroll’s word FRABJOUS (a word blend of fair, fabulous and joy) is the best way to describe this extraordinarily creative process and publication.
Throughout there’s been a conscious effort to sidestep the censor, to just allow random thoughts and images to knit together, and place trust in a process of which you have limited control. To do this participants had to stay curious, authentic and open. The resultant images and words based on place, space and headspace are as extraordinary, as powerful and as fascinating as the participants themselves.
We hope that you enjoy the film and please feel free to comment and share 🧡
THANK YOU 🙏
We are especially thankful to our partners on this project including Julian Wadsworth and Zoe Portsmouth – Community Action Isle of Wight, Jenny Simon and her team at Sandown Libary – Isle of Wight Council, Sandown Hub, On the Wight and Simon Avery.
#ACEsupported #InspiredinSandown #BZine #LetsCreate
