In:Site 2019 – Day 1

There was lots of colour involved in the first day of In:Site festival this year! Luba created a colourful stained-glass artwork inspired by a possibly forgotten story in the Cathedral’s history. Marylene encouraged the public to create a decorative object inspired by their interpretation of ‘home’. Jennifer was busy teaching people crochet techniques and Emilie invited the public to share what Birmingham means to them, contributing to a larger art work.

Luba Maxwell de Jong

Luba graduated from the University of Plymouth in 3D design. With a multi-disciplinary approach to her practice, Luba created a collaborative public artwork. The piece was inspired by and pays homage to the remarkable story of how the Civic Society of Birmingham removed the Cathedral’s stained-glass windows to protect them from bomb damage during World War II.

Illustrated by Luba and outlined in lead tape, the public were invited to use different coloured papers and pens to create a colourful stained-glass image. The finished artwork was displayed on the railing of the Cathedral where the sun could shine through it, emphasising the different colours and patterns.

Follow Luba on Instagram to learn more about her practice: @lubamdj

Marylene Esmy Antony

Marylene is a graduate of the School of Jewellery, Birmingham City University. In her own practice Marylene uses poetry to inspire form, pattern and colour in her jewellery. At In:Site Marylene asked the public to create small decorative pieces reflecting their interpretation of ‘home’.

There was a varied and colourful range of responses from the public, including insects, national flowers, a pet dog, reading a book with their children and “mummy”.

To see more of Marylene’s own jewellery practice take a look at her Instagram: @esmy.jewellery

Jennifer Bloomfield

Jennifer graduated from the University of Hertfordshire in Contemporary Design Crafts. Her practice is textile focused and multi-sensory, often inspired by landscapes and plant life.

Jennifer’s project for In:Site took inspiration from the legacy of Birmingham’s famous topographer Samuel Lines, who is buried in Cathedral Square. Using the forms in topographical maps, Jennifer created different crocheted forms which were layered together. Many of the participants were new to crochet and were excited to learn a new skill, whilst other more experienced visitors relished the opportunity to create a piece without any pattern or structure – purely free form!

Find out more about Jennifer’s practice on her website: jenbloomfield.wixsite.com/portfolio and follow her on Instagram: @midnightmalachitedesigns

Emilie Helliwell

Emilie is a crochet designer who has recently graduated from Birmingham City University. Emily invited the public to share what Birmingham and the Cathedral means to them, through drawings or words. Inspired by the architecture of the Cathedral and its surroundings Emilie created an almost patchwork of the public’s responses connecting the individual pieces with intricate crochet techniques.

Make sure to check out Emilie’s own designs which can be found on her Instagram: @emiliefloradesigns

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