The Weather Report
In this project artist Jill Impey curated a creative space (online or live) in which people from coastal and immigrant communities (in England in 2021 and New Zealand in 2018) reflected on relationships with heritage. They explored feelings about the weather, the sea, immigration, colonisation and notions of connection and took part in recording sessions that contributed to a film. The project was funded by Arts Council England in 2020 . In post Brexit, mid-pandemic England, the host was Lucida Impey, a mental health nurse just returned in 1948, from New Zealand. She provided resource packs and led creative activities. By setting the scene post-war, participants were released from their day to day lives to converse and connect with their creativity. Before and after the workshops, they gave their own ‘internal weather reports’ The full film is 14 mins duration, with subtitled spoken reflections.
The Weather Report: Post 8
A postcard from Plymouth, May 29th-June 4th. 2021
Weather was lovely, sunshine & cloud with a light wind close to the sea. I watched from the Hoe as the light grey fog that hung over Plymouth Sound on Wednesday afternoon, obscured the jagged volcanic rocks of Drake’s Island, then lift almost as soon as it came.
1940’s mental health nurse Lucida, having just returned from New Plymouth, New Zealand, had many fruitful interactions with visitors to her events, sharing stories and comparing experiences of the COVID 19 pandemic with WW2 and the post war period.
Many people recognised the importance of the moment, reflecting on the divisive events of 1948; the building of the Berlin Wall, the beginning of Apartheid in South Africa and the establishment of the State of Israel. All acknowledged the impact of those post war devisions and the need for global unity now, in 2021 not just for humanity but for all nature’s sake.
If ever there was a time to send a postcard it is now, we all live under the same sky, reach out and communicate.
The Weather Report: Post 7
Set Fair : Plymouth 29th. May 2021
Finally arrived in Plymouth after much preparation and packing, and a beautiful green journey along the A49.
My character Lucida will be taking part in a community engagement today Saturday May 29th from 10-1pm at Teats Hill, and Monday 31st. & Tuesday 1st June 10-1pm in the Garden of the National Marine Aquarium, with Age UK Plymouth on Thursday and around Plymouth Harbour and various venues throughout the week see https://jillimpey.com/blog/ for further details.
Jill Impey’s practice combines artefacts, found objects, curation, sound and video. Her focus is on communication and connectedness. Exhibited as audiovisual installations on themes of heritage and nature, Impey as artist and Reiki practitioner, seeks to engage observers in discussions and workshops.
The combination of installation and focus upon the response of the observer is at the heart of my practice, which is committed to opening up vitally needed channels of communication to heal the fractures in our modern society. The Weather Report seeks to engage a broader national and international audience in discussions around heritage, migration and interconnectedness….. sometimes its easier to talk about the weather.
Jill Impey
Jill Impey 