Photo credits: © Julia Fosman
Wayfinding To Our Memories
Cement Fields: 2024Wayfinding to Our Memories is a four meter tall, large scale artwork created in collaboration with year one and year five students at Cherry Orchard Academy in Ebbsfleet, Kent . Through a series of workshops, young people reflected on their memories of home and their local area while listening to audio and film clips from the Citizen Archive, featuring older residents’ recollections. Inspired by these experiences, the students crafted wayfinding signs and drawings, blending their own memories with those from the archive. The artwork features symbols such as bunting, referencing a memory shared by a 90 year old resident, and ice cream, a shared memory across generations. Additionally, elements like ships and trains, which are a nod to the area’s shipping and industrial heritage, are included, reflecting both past and present.
Constructed from unpainted aluminium, the artwork’s shiny, reflective surface echoes the nature of memories reflective and ever changing. Over time, the shininess of the aluminium may fade, mirroring how memories might change or fade with age. This choice of material captures how memories reflect their environments and evolve over time. This artwork serves as a symbol and portal, encouraging viewers to pause, reflect on their own memories, and appreciate the unique connections across time and experiences.
Beautifully fabricated by Red Collective London
Structural engineer: Alice Ward