the Tide of Time

Shoes arranged on the grass, each with a simple perspex stand. The shoes represent a whole mix of styles and sizes, all walks of life, swept along towards their future, some inevitable destination. The work is linked to Kettering town's history as it grew rapidly in size through the shoe industry from 1880s. Now that industry has died the red brick Victorian town it created still remains. In the work the presence of the missing people is very strong, the work becoming an army of marching ghosts pressing onward, perhaps through the unstoppable tide of time. Also as a matter of interest, army boots were made in the vicinity for the 2 world wars. The work makes further links to the place, passing behind the shoe museum and echoing the posture of the people using the space - flooding down the short-cut from the main car park into the town centre.