ROYAL Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) has teamed up with a borough arts centre to inspire a new art exhibition that it is hoped will help young people better understand the risks of swimming in unsupervised lakes, rivers, reservoirs and pools.
The artwork was produced by South Hill Park Arts Centre and RBFRS in an effort to improve water safety education, following a number of drownings in the county.
The display, called Bodies Of Water, aims to help young viewers visualise the unpredictable nature of water, and the dangers to life that it can pose.
Staff from South Hill Park Arts Centre designed the project to be co-created by
young people, in order to deliver the message in a creative and exciting way.
Textile artist Hermione Thomson, was commissioned to work with Year 10 textiles
students at King’s Academy, Binfield.
As well as developing the artwork with Hermione, students visited Bracknell Fire Station to gain an in-depth understanding of the risks associated with borough waterways.
They also learnt about the equipment and training fire and rescue service staff use when called to incidents.
And as a part of a work experience programme, creative media production students
from Bracknell and Wokingham College also took photographs and filmed the
creation of the artwork at each stage of its development.
The pieces were executed using a 200 year old camera-less recording process known as cyanotype.
The technique is known for its blue colour and has been adapted for the project to reflect messages about water safety.
Dave Crease, Group Manager of RBFRS, said: “We approached staff at South Hill
Park Arts Centre, as we wanted their expertise in how we could better engage with
young people around the issue of water safety.
“As a fire and rescue service we have been called to a number of tragic incidents on
Berkshire’s waterways, and we were keen to explore the use of art to illustrate the
dangers of swimming in unsupervised bodies of water.”
Becky Jones, learning, participation and community engagement coordinator at South Hill Park Arts Centre, said: “It has been such a highlight for South Hill Park to design and produce this project, culminating in a truly poignant, engaging arts exhibition.
“We are delighted to have supported local school students to learn from such an excellent artist, working collaboratively to create thought-provoking prints.
“A huge thank you to everyone involved in this important project.”
Textile Artist Hermione Thomson, said: “It has been a privilege to work alongside
such a talented group of people to create a meaningful and educational body of work
using the Cyanotype process.
“The exhibition hopes to raise awareness of the dangers surrounding open water.”
Emily Moulton, work experience coordinator for the creative industries at Bracknell And Wokingham College, said: “This has been a fantastic project for our learners to engage with as a part of their work experience.
“It’s allowed them to gain hands on, practical creative skills that will strengthen their future
employability, as well as allowing them to engage with the community around them.”
The free exhibition can be seen in the Grand Staircase at South Hill Park Arts Centre.
The event will run until Sunday, June 25.
For more information, visit: www.southhillpark.org.uk
