Place of Safety

Place of safety was an ACE funded project to install painted marks at La Falaise shelter, Ventnor from the ideas from local communities.

Exploring themes of safety, shelter and belonging, people were asked to make marks related to these themes. We explored the visual meanings of colour and shape to produce abstract meaningful shapes.

Then the artist assembled these marks and created a paint / sculpture live installation high on the cliffs across Ventnor beach. Peoples works were put onto posters and shown in shops around the town.

Once intial pieces were installed, the artist made adjustments as the work settled itself in to the location. Interestingly, the work became synonymous with the location and different weathers, and people.

The artist was with the work every day and evening and noticed how the influence of the ocean, the wind, the sun…started to affect her own understanding of the whole work.

Sunshine brought sweeping shadows, rain brought beads of water. Dusk and evening saw the soft purples and pinks of UV light envelope the place, and painted neon marks began to sing out loud.

People had the choice to sit inside the painting…to walk around it and through it. People could take photographs of whatever they saw….compose with their cameras and take away abstract images on their devices.

Engagement was critical, so on the penultimate day, people were encouraged to draw with water…create circles and responsful marks on the ground with water…that would evaporate back into the sun.