Image above: Mapping installation (including Mapping of Piel Island and Mapping of Studio Journey)
by Di McGhee, Art Gene 2017
Di McGhee
About the Gene Pool Residency
Di McGhee (with Sophie Lindsey) was selected as one of two Gene Pool residency artists (2017).
Di and Sophie arrived in Barrow-in-Furness at the beginning of August for a 10 day residency, and used the Art Gene’s Main Gallery as a base to work from. The idea behind the residency was for the artists to make work about the locality – producing for the gallery works which, over subsequent months, would become part of an exhibition: a tall order for just 10 days – but we had selected Di and Sophie in part because of their intuition and responsive and reactive way of working.
We began with a few introductory trips and walks around the town and area – highlighting a few of the many special features of Barrow and it’s incredible coast – and introduced them to current Art Gene projects, such as Allotment Soup (our community growing space on Walney Island) and the brand-new wildlife observation Razzle Dazzle Hides on South Walney; and then let them find their own way through the (perhaps overwhelming) information.
“I came to Barrow with the idea that I could map the research process in some way. Using a simple mapping app I began by mapping those planned journeys for research purposes. In tandem I also began to record, with drawing, any specific sites of interest that may become sites for making. These sites relate to my interest
in the relationship between people and place and how this sits or conflicts with views of industry and with social situations and issues. I have found Barrow to be particularly diverse in both these areas. As my collection of mapped journeys grew I began to focus on smaller journeys associated with the making process, linked to gathering materials and to moving around the studio when making. The highlight for me was an exploratory trip to Piel Island, that was in fact an island to island trip. I immediately planned a further trip, weather permitting, with an aim of bringing together, journey mapping and making mapping”.
Di McGhee, 2017
“I found the BAE Systems Shed both theatrical and secretive and was interesting in its dominant position in the heart of the town. My initial encounter with the shed as a dominant focal point lasted with me throughout the residency and as the residency progressed I began to use the shed as a reference point for navigation around the town. I became increasingly aware that the shed could be seen from vantage points near and far, including the gallery window and from the shore during my initial trip to Piel Island”.
