Unearthed

Unearthed was commissioned as part of Lakeland Arts ‘New Year, New Make’ (January - June 2023) for Blackwell the Arts and Crafts House. The exhibition uncovered narratives of local Cumbrian women whose stories have often been overlooked, encouraging community dialogue around collective remembering.

The oversized wildflower sculptures pay homage to 10 women. From activist Winifred Langton (1909-2003) who tirelessly campaigned for social justice, to Arts & Crafts designer Annie Garnett (1864-1942), whose Windermere-based weaving workshop, The Spinnery, sought to create well paid jobs for the region’s working class. The women remembered in this space lived very different lives, in different eras, but are united by the common thread of wanting to make social change.

The Community Garden made with groups in South Lakeland pays homage to inspiring woman in the lives of the makers, each dedicated to a woman of their choice.

‘The feedback we had from the exhibition was some of the most positive we have had in recent years, with many visitors describing Amy’s work as a moving experience.’  Naomi Gariff, Programme Curator, Lakeland Arts.

‘I visited Blackwell today and was blown away by your work,! The way you represented all those amazing Cumbrian women took my breath away.’ Visitor feedback.

The project is kindly supported by James Cropper, who have been producing world-class paper from their mill in Kendal since 1845. It has also been generously supported by the Westmorland Arts Trust Fund via Cumbria Community Fund.