IT MAY look like a protest against the Government’s Levelling Up scheme, but a billboard in Stalybridge is certainly making an impression.
It is in fact an art installation to promote an exhibition at the nearby Astley Cheetham gallery.
The slogan ‘Giv over now wi’ y Levellin’ Up. Yer offerin’ nowt but a chipped empty cup,’ now adorns the railway arches close to the town’s railway station.
Seeing that may spark conversation, especially in an area that has seen several awards of Levelling Up money in recent times.
But that is the idea and We Are Local also hope it attracts people to head to Pine an’ Fret, an exhibition by artist Rebecca Chesney that runs until December 23.
The display centres around a series of posters with poetic statements, some of which were created by the Stalybridge community during workshops with local writer Cat Lumb while others are taken from the poems of Samuel Laycock.
People gave their ideas, thoughts and opinions about the town today. Covering things like its changing face, wages, health and the cost of living, they are intended to provoke a response from the viewer and start a dialogue.
The statements from Cat’s workshops have then been taken by Rebecca and turned into posters, which were created using a combination of historic letterpress printing techniques with digital design.
The exhibition will also look deeper to examine how the town has changed since the time of Samuel Laycock, also to understand the similarities between social issues today and those experienced by our predecessors.
Paintings, drawings and artefacts Rebecca selected from the Tameside Council archive and collection, alongside items and artworks from recent times that to her, capture the spirit of the town and the project, hope to help her start a conversation with the local community about where Stalybridge has been, where it is going and how people feel about their place, and as importantly, why?
During the exhibition, audiences are encouraged to respond to the artworks and create new contributions that will be exhibited alongside Rebecca’s work.
All of the public’s thoughts, comments and designs will also be documented on The Living Room website, a new social history archive that aims to capture the voice of people today and gives a platform for the memories and experiences of local people.
*Pine an’ Fret runs until December 23 at the Astley Cheetham Art Gallery, Trinity St, Stalybridge, SK15 2BN.