Hemispheres

Hemispheres

I’ve had this little untitled sculpture by Clare Noonan on the same wall in my home for more than 15 years. It might even be the first thing I hung there, since we’ve had our house about that long. I bought it at a fundraiser for the High Street Project, and I’ve always loved it, for reasons I find hard to explain.  Sometimes, it suggests a new way to think about the world; in others, it feels like a reminder of something I already know.

I saw her face by Robin Judkins

I saw her face by Robin Judkins

We've had lots of poetry responding to nature but poetry's other great theme has been absent. We put that right today with a love poem by Robin Judkins. A simple expression of love you might say, but listen right to the end and then say with confidence what happens next.

That will take a minute so your hands will be sparkling. Today's reader is Visitor Host Tim Hobbs.

To a child dancing in the wind by W B Yeats

To a child dancing in the wind by W B Yeats

Today our Business Administrator Jackie Heavey reads a poem by a compatriot of hers, William Butler Yeats, in which the innocence of childhood is envied.

Yes you can now go to the beach, but keep your distance and, of course, keep washing those hands.

And the animals shall inherit the earth

And the animals shall inherit the earth

It’s been interesting observing how nature has quietly but very quickly reclaimed the earth since we have all gone into Covid-19 lockdown. My social media timelines have been peppered with images of animals wandering where humans can’t, boars roaming in Barcelona, peacocks in Dubai, deer in Japan and schools of tiny fish in the now clear waters of Venice to name a few. Related of course are the clearing skies around the world.

Order

Can you put these works from our collection in the right order?
Colouring in: Doric Dairy

Colouring in: Doric Dairy

In the old days, milk was delivered to people's homes by horse and cart. The milk was ladled into tin pots (called billies) from a big metal urn. Can you find the urn where the milk is kept in this linocut? What colour is it?

Colouring in: Toroa / Northern Royal Albatross

Colouring in: Toroa / Northern Royal Albatross

Did you know that the Toroa (also called the Northern Royal Albatross) is the world's largest seabird? Where do you think they live? Take a look this live web feed of a chick for a clue...

Colouring in: The Doves

Colouring in: The Doves

This wood engraving by Eileen Mayo was created by carving the picture onto a block of wood. Eileen was known for her great skill at doing this. She then used a roller to put a thin coat of ink onto the carved wood and pressed it onto paper to make this print. Have you ever tried making a print by carving something like a potato and then applying ink or paint and pressing it onto paper?

Colouring in: Mantis in the Sun

Colouring in: Mantis in the Sun

This print by Eileen Mayo is like a close-up of a praying mantis and the insect it has caught. It shows a lot of detail. It's almost like we are right next to it! 

Colouring in: Cats in the Trees

Colouring in: Cats in the Trees

This artwork is a linocut print called Cats in the Trees. The artist, Eileen Mayo, loved all animals, but cats were her favourite. What's your favourite animal?

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