Born in Nuneaton in 1964 my life has been heavily influenced by the war through vivid stories told by those who lived through it – namely my late godmother Joan Steen. I do believe that the past still lives alongside us in the present. For this reason I wanted to create a contemporary exhibition of aspects of my grandmother Connie’s life during WW2. A marrying of two worlds so to speak.
Central to the exhibition is a “living room” set up, my room. Whilst sat in my chair old family photographs evoke thoughts that are then recorded by the inanimate objects that surround me.
I have always been morbidly fascinated by the nursery rhyme “Ladybird, ladybird”. I liken it the powerful image of a mother desperately searching for her children on the night of the Blitz with the city engulfed by flames, death and destruction. It is for that reason that I have used the image of the ladybird as a recurring theme throughout the exhibition.
The butterflies and moths are a representation of my grandmother’s garden. The Death Head Hawk moth was a rare visitor who was perceived to be a dark omen for future events.
With grateful thanks to Arts Council England and Oppenhiem-John Downes Memorial Trust for help with the funding of this project.
