Last year I was invited to compose music for an exhibition of patchwork squares organised by the Refugee Buddy Project, Hasting, Rother and Wealdon, featuring patchworks created by refugees, volunteers and supported education students from Hastings College. After some delay that exhibition is now open at the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill on Sea.
Photo by Rob Harris
The commission came through Lo Recordings and in early discussions with Jon and Gavin from Lo, the themes of space (physical) and reflection were clearly important for this project. I wrote the following words about the 2hr 15 minute piece I created.
“The sharing of stories is a way to improve community connection and increase compassion. This feels especially important now. Short-sighted politics, economic injustice and greedy social media empires spread division around the world; the COVID-19 Pandemic has only added to that. It’s easy for individuals like me to feel powerless, but there is hope to be found shimmering and glowing in communities around the world where small acts of kindness and togetherness are making a difference. For example, the Buddy project shows that contrary to media reporting, there is a welcome for those in need, and that we can form bonds that transgress borders.
When I was invited to create a composition for this exhibition, I imagined my music expanding and dissolving the boundaries of the gallery. I wanted to create an atmosphere in which visitors would feel welcome to slow down and reflect on the stories within each quilt’s patch more deeply. I hope that time spent here might offer some calm in the storm.”
All in the Same Storm: Pandemic Patchwork Stories runs until Sunday 5th of September at the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill on Sea.