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Two stacks of yellow packages with pink string tied around them and a mirror with a white line drawing of two hands making a heart symbol.

Walking Together/Walking Apart

3rd Feb 2020 — 31st Jan 2021

How do we support each other and stay connected when we can't be together? Walking Together/Walking Apart explores the invaluable relationships which exist between and within support networks.

Project Details
Categories
  • Collectivity,
  • Care,
  • Place
Creative Team
  • Lead Artist: Claire Weetman
  • Collaborators: Members of Refugee Women Connect's St Helens group
  • Documentation: Radka Dolinska
A black and white line drawing of an envelope with pencils, glue sticks, stamps and other art materials in.
A black and white line drawing of an envelope with pens, a postcard and sun cream in among other items.
A black and white line drawing of an envelope with pens, wipes, hand sanitizer among other items.
A black and white line drawing of envelopes holding a bottle of rose lemonade, lemons, bicarbonate of soda, turmeric and other items.

Walking Together/Walking Apart has been produced by Claire Weetman collaborating with members of Refugee Women Connect, created just prior to and then during multiple lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the project explores and celebrates how the women connect and support each other.

'walking together' in yellow writing on a green patterned background.
Some text on background of a grey clouded sky. A triangle of black bunting.
Some white text on a background of blue sky with some white clourds.
'When Life Gives You Lemons' in black writing with a pattern of greenery around the outside.
A line drawing of a lemon squeezing in to a glass full of pink liquid. Text that reads 'Drink lemonade with a friend. Serving Suggestion: Your best glass, salt on the edges, 1 bottle of rose lemonade, a squeeze of lemon juice, mint'
A watercolour painting of two people in a park next to a lake.
The back of a postcard with the text 'Let's go for a walk', 'Wear your best dress', 'Date', 'Time' and 'Place'

Due to the separation from each other the project has taken the form of a series of 'care packages' designed for and with the women's group. These boxes included items for self-care (for example nice teas and bubble bath), activities to do with children for mothers in the group and activities for the women to do themselves and to share in their WhatsApp group. Walking Together/Walking Apart explores four themes: 'time for you', 'who we are', 'create' and 'share knowledge'.

A collage or black and white line drawings and photographs. A hand holds two pegs painted like people.
Instructions on how to make a paper cut out of the people you love, so you can take them out on a walk with you.
'When Life Gives You Lemons' in black writing with a pattern of greenery around the outside.
Black text on a white background with a line drawing of a hand holding a ball. The text explains the project Walking Together, Walking Apart.
Instructions on how to send an invisible message.
'Thank you for caring' and heart shapes in red writing on a yellow background.
'Strong women' in white writing on a black background.

A final artwork package brought together elements from each of the care packages and 100 boxes were delivered to members of Refugee Women Connect and other women in the local community.

Walking Together/Walking Apart is a continuation of Claire Weetman's long-term collaborations with communities with experiences of migration.

A black line drawing of some plaited hair with a yellow flower in. The words 'nature is love' in yellow text, all on a green patterned background.
A black line drawing of hands holding yellow flowers. 'remember nature is love' in yellow text on a green patterned background.
A collage of text and images from the project.
A collage of text and images from the project.
A collage of text and images from the project.
A collage of text and images from the project.
A collage of text and images from the project.
A collage of text and images from the project.
A stack of yellow packages with pink string tied around and a label reading 'walking together, walking apart'.
A mirror with a white line drawing of two hands making a heart symbol.
A collection of images and postcards on a table.
Walking Together/Walking Apart was produced in partnership with Refugee Women Connect
refugeewomenconnect.org.uk

Claire Weetman

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