The Fire Within
Photo credits: Shirlaine Forrest
The Fire Within explores ideas of self-portraiture and artistic experimentation by looking at what keeps us going in life and the things which help us ‘burn brighter’.
The project spanned 3 months and encompassed a wide range of artistic practice: photography and portraiture, blind drawing, paired drawing, sketch books, fantastical colour usage and a wide range of art making materials. Alongside the art making we had conversations with Lead Artist Len Grant and our fellow group members, exploring the things that help us burn brighter as well as the things than pull us down.
The conversations were revealing, with many people talking about the importance of the creative sessions and the ‘family’ that exists at Our Room and contrasting this with the things that can ‘dampen’ their fire such as boredom, drug use, isolation and mental ill health.
“All I’ve known all my life is hostels… and hostels… and hostels and prison. At the moment I’m in the hostel, surrounded by idiots. Some people are angry, some people are off their faces on drugs. Some keep themselves to themselves.
Coming here gives you space to get away from where all the trouble is. You chill out, de-stress. It stops my mind from wandering. Then I go back refreshed to the drama that is my life, ready to listen to people’s bullshit.
Now I’m getting my own flat in three weeks. You’ve helped build me up, ready to move into my own space. I’d be lost without you all. I need you in my life, to keep me going.”
“I love coming here, especially Wednesdays, I’m not going to lie. It’s just funny, we just have banter and I just love it. I started coming here before Covid. I’ve changed a lot since then… my confidence…I talk to a lot more people. I’m not shy to speak to people. I’m not scared to talk about my life and stuff.”
“Music makes me burn brighter, especially 1950s rock and roll. Johnny Burnette, Paul Anka, Neil Sedaka, Connie Francis, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Bobby Darin. I sing along to them all. I used to be a good singer. I put the music on to bring myself up, I’m nothing without music. It’s always been a big part of my life….My medication suppresses me, it makes me very subdued. It makes me zombified and I feel like I’m a goldfish in a bowl, which isn’t great. You feel ever so lonely, and there’s no feeling worse than loneliness.”
Image credit: Len Grant
We also had some stunning feedback on the event launch night itself, where we asked people about how they felt and what messages they took from the work and conversation…
“I could cry with happiness with all the lovely people you’ve brought to this gallery space, when has it ever felt this alive?”
“Many stories, but the one that stuck with me was around how we all have something within us that makes us burn brighter and that we should let that out!”
“There were some powerful messages from the people involved – things can get better.”
“The whole event was such a joy, it looked great and was so professional.”
And, finally, in the spirit of the Oscars we would just like to thank….
All participants, staff and volunteers at Our Room, who created this fantastic work in collaboration with Artist Len Grant. We also welcomed back Artist Ian McKay for one of the sessions – so a huge thank you to everybody who played a part in bringing this project together.
The Fire Within was the fourth of our key projects within our ‘Playing With Fire’ Creative Vision and this ongoing work is being generously supported by Arts Council England and the Oglesby Charitable Trust.
Thanks also to the lovely folks of HOME who have worked so collaboratively and generously with us to make this beautiful and thought-provoking exhibition happen.
And… if you haven’t seen it yet, please go and catch the exhibition live at HOME until the end of August 2024.
