Archipelago: Take Part Queen's Park
Archipelago: Take Part Queen’s Park Community Exhibition
2 April - 12 June 2022
Sir William Harpur Gallery – Free Entry
Still from the Archipelago film of the Allotted sequence © Caroline Wendling
This new exhibition is a celebration of the vibrancy of Queen’s Park using film, embroidery and clay, curated by artist Caroline Wendling in collaboration with residents as part of the Take Part Queen’s Park project.
Take Part Queen’s Park is an art project both inspired by and created with the community of Queen’s Park in Bedford. Through engaging residents of all ages with the creative arts the project seeks to celebrate residents’ sense of place and community, and share that with the wider residents of Bedford.
Caroline Wendling is one of three resident artists who has been working in Queen’s Park since 2020 to explore the culture, talents and memories of residents and present their stories through new works of art. Through an extensive series of public walks and workshops in schools, in the allotments, with community groups and in Presentation House, Caroline created a film Archipelago made of seven stories alongside artworks of clay and embroidery that represent and showcase the talent of residents and shares their unique stories of Queen’s Park for all of Bedford to enjoy.
“Queen’s Park is like an archipelago [a group of islands] – a place where people who each have their own cultures and traditions come together to form one unique, vibrant and unified community.” Caroline Wendling.
Delivered by Bedford Creative Arts in partnership with The Higgins Bedford and funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation, The Harpur Trust and housing association bpha.