2022/23

An Arts Council funded collaborative and participatory project in development working with ex employees of the West Cumbrian based chemical works Marchon Ltd. Invited collaborators include Celestina Mahovich (Embroidery), Dave Willson (Photography) and Chris O’leary (Drone Pilot).

Kind thanks to all the ex employees who are giving their time, voices and stories for audio interview as well as loans of the precious memorabilia including photography, letters, boiler suits, tape measures, pens and towels. To Art Gene, Barrow, BEC West Cumbria and Cleator Moor based charity Home to Work.

The work will culminate in an exhibition at The Beacon Museum & Gallery in Whitehaven, Cumbria from February 3rd to April 15th 2023.

It begins with a story or rather a series of stories. Smells too, unknown but similar to Metal and Dust. A Blue boiler suit peppered with chemical burns, random tiny holes scattered across the material. A leather wallet, holder and protector of work ID passes, both the beginning and the end. A folded dollar note, driving licence, Video shop member card, lottery numbers scrawled in Blue biro on a small scrap of paper, a photo of his wife, his working men’s club membership card.