Free and open to all
Drop in to experience artist Zephie’s work
This event is part of a series of micro residencies in The Everybody Gallery, with a range of artists working with us over the coming months. Check out this page for more information.
About the Project
Throughout human history, rivers and waterways have been considered sacred. They have even been thought of as deities. Indigenous cultures across the world still revere water and, in some places, legal action is being taken to give them the legal rights of people.
The River Calder, far from being revered and considered sacred, is now one of the most polluted rivers in the UK. Calder is a Celtic word for ‘river of stones’, and this will form the basis of Zephie’s residency at Everybody Arts.
During her residency, Zephie will explore our connection to the River Calder, researching the history and folklore connected to it, to reimagine our relationship to the river that has carved and defined the valley.
She’ll be using materials found in and near the river, such as clay and plant fibres, to experiment with sculptural forms. She’ll also be playing with film, photography and textiles to reference the fact that the Everybody Arts mill was once a textiles mill, powered by the river that runs alongside it.
Visitors to the gallery are invited to make small votive offerings from wild clay, and to use recycled textiles to co-create a costume with Zephie. People will be invited to write their hopes, wishes and prayers for the river on pieces of fabric which she will then sew onto the dress. Fabric will be provided, but people are encouraged to bring a piece of their own. Following the residency, Zephie will create a film as she wears the dress on a meditative walk through the valley and by the river, distributing the votives and people’s wishes for the health of the river and the environment of the Calder Valley.
Photos © Zephie
About the Artist
Zephie is a multi-disciplinary artist working in a variety of media to explore our relationship with nature, ourselves and each other.
For more information about Zephie and her work, check out https://cargocollective.com/zephiebegolo and follow her on Instagram.