Watershed exhibition: poetry and installation

The PLACE Collective lead artist and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Cumbria Harriet Fraser contributed the poetry and installation to this exhibition. Film, music, poetry, photographs, creative maps and 3D installations set the stage for reflection and conversations about landscape change, land management and human-nature relationships in the Ullswater Valley. The Watershed exhibition, held at Glenridding village hall, drew in more than 300 people over just three days in July 2023. The work was created by five artists from the PLACE Collective: lead artist Harriet Fraser (poetry and installation), Rob Fraser (photography); Matt Sharman (film), Sarah Smout (cello and song writing) and Kate Gilman Brundrett (mixed media). The exhibition kicked off with an open evening and live performances for those who had spent time with the artists in the first half of 2023: the room was filled with members of local community groups, farmers, landowners, ecologists and staff from land management organisations. This UKRI-funded project has offered a new approach to transdisciplinary connections in the Ullswater valley, using art practice to highlight key issues, to stimulate questions, discussions and reflection, and to bring people together. An analysis of the interviews, participant feedback, artists’ experience and audience comments will inform the next phase of Harriet Fraser’s PhD research as she continues to explore issues of agency and action in environmental change and decision making.