thought map

This drawing represents my thinking about time spent in Cheetham Hill - Jai and I gave our talks last week about how our proposals for work are growing from the research process.
My work has grown out of reading about work and capital (Marx and Engels in Manchester as well as our walk with the Jewish Museum guides) and in parallel , looking at 19th century thinking about science, religion and philospohy - specifically through the work of Frances Hodgson Burnett in "The Secret Garden" her simple tale of the healing of damaged children through positive thinking and connection to nature and manual work. Both strands create a powerful contrast. It had these ideas in mind as I walked around some of the derelict green spaces in the area and talked with people about their own working lives at the Car Wash....
Jai's work looked at another aspect of work, an even more basic form of craft - making bread. So together our work encompassed a history of the development of work. From the simplest humblest craft of breadmaking - common to all cultures - to aspects of long established patterns of capital and global labour markets typified by Cheetham Hills vibrant economy.

The sketching walk yesterday to Great Horrocks. Alistair, Beth, Zorina and her children joined me on a walk, passing by the former home of Frances Hodgson Burnett on Cheetham Hill Road (now modern flats opposite St Lukes Church which lies derelict). We walked along Rayburn Way to the public footpath sign, past the caravan site and then skirting the metrolink depot, climbing the mound to overlook Collyhurst and the city centre. Luckily the sun was shining and everyone was delighted at the place, the view and the escape from the frenetic pace of the main road. We nibbled grapes and sketched and painted. I think Hodgson Burnett would have appreciated our effort to slow the pace, to listen and to experience nature - allbeit surrounded on all sides by urban activity.........The area of Great Horrocks is apparently the new development area for the new Irish Heritage Centre - click here irish heritageThis appears to have already gained planning permission, so if you want to experience this particular "secret garden" you need tovisit Great Horrocks as soon as you can....

(more images on the images page)