4 May – 13 June // Tue – Thur 11am – 4pm; Sat 1pm – 4pm (closed 18 May)
Oceans of Kindness is an exploration of the cumulative power of words, creativity and kindness sparked by children’s imagination. Children from Christchurch Primary, Hotspur Primary and Shieldfield Youth Programme have written their own collection of ‘poems of kindness’ and then delicately adorned these onto majestic large-scale willow fish lanterns. The final gathered shoal of fish will feature in a twilight community parade and exhibition at Shieldfield Art Works, before migrating to Ouseburn Festival to become part of a kindness trail.
In a world overwhelmed by bad news (both real and fake), what would children like to declare to the world? What do children want and seek for the world? What change can they make in the world? Come and be inspired by the children’s wonderful capacity for compassion and empathy, marvel at the symphony of benevolence they have created and ‘swim’ among the shoals of fish, as we stand for kindness as a community together.
“Do you know what I want?, I want justice—oceans of it. I want fairness—rivers of it. That’s what I want. That’s all I want.” Amos 5:24 (The Message)
“I have the audacity to believe that people everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education, and culture for their minds and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits” Martin Luther King Jr
Exhibition
4 May – 13 June // Tue – Thur 11am – 4pm; Sat 1pm – 4pm (closed 18 May)
Oceans of Kindness is an exploration of the cumulative power of words, creativity and kindness sparked by children’s imagination. Children from Christchurch Primary, Hotspur Primary and Shieldfield Youth Programme have written their own collection of ‘poems of kindness’ and then delicately adorned these onto majestic large-scale willow fish lanterns. The final gathered shoal of fish will feature in a twilight community parade and exhibition at Shieldfield Art Works, before migrating to Ouseburn Festival to become part of a kindness trail. Come and ‘swim’ among the shoals of fish, as we stand for kindness as a community together. You can also make your own fridge poems and share your own stories of kindness.
Cuppa and Chat
Tuesday 28 May, 11.30am – 12:00pm & 2:00pm- 2:30pm
Join us for a cup of tea in the gallery and a casual chat about the themes of the exhibition, no need to book and all are welcome.
Craft Action Collective
Sessions are on the first and third Tuesday of the month, 6:30pm – 8pm
Tuesday 7 May: Dyeing paper with natural dyes
Tuesday 21 May: Screen printing onto marbled paper
Tuesday 4 June: Drypoint printing using recycled tetra pack cartons
There will be a series of Craft Action Collective workshops relating to the Oceans of Kindness exhibition. Craft Action Collective is a creative group which seeks to think deeply and respond to injustices in a gentle, careful way through craft and printmaking. If you’re thinking of attending it’s helpful if you let us know by emailing: gemma@saw-newcastle.org
The Late Shows
Friday 17 May, 6 – 10:30pm
Stamp your own beautiful ocean scene using stamps made from recycled materials. Be inspired by our exhibition, and write your own poems of justice to add to your waves.