Marmite jars and Walkers crisps inspire Gillingham art
Published: 12:52, 21 September 2021
Updated: 12:53, 21 September 2021
If you spot a crisp packet on the ground in Gillingham, don't assume it's litter.
A unusual mini sculpture which looks just like a bag of Walkers has gone on display in the town centre as part of an arts trail. It also includes a Marmite-looking jar, a packet of biscuits and a pot that looks like Colman's Mustard.
The High Street has been taken over by Gillingham POW in partnership with Mess Room and artist Mark Barnes.
The artworks are all based on local legends and heroes, and things that make Gillingham special.
Each piece has been specially commissioned.
Mark Barnes has created a six-page comic strip about explorer Will Adams which is on display at the bus stop outside St Mark's Church.
Hannah Whittaker has filled the windows of a high street building with portraits of the people she has seen in the town centre.
Mona Whitton has made printed pieces of inspirational characters which hang from the lampposts and street artist Sam Collins has created a portrait in Green Street of the Saxon warlord Gyllingam who Gillingham is said to be named after.
Mess Room has collected photos of the people of the town to create Shadow Tales: A Gallery of You. The outdoor gallery in Saxon Street, King Street and at the train station celebrates the people who "walk, drive, shop, skip, dance, sing and cartwheel through the high street".
Multimedia artist Natalie Clark is behind the crisp bag and biscuit packet sculptures in the plant and tree pits in the High Street. Each one is designed to celebrate a part of Gillingham's heritage.
As part of the trail there are a series of art workshops taking place at various venues in the town centre.
There will be a family drawing lesson with artist Karen Scudder and Sam Hall from Wordsmithery will running a workshop that will teach participants to create a basic one page illustrated story with a spooky Halloween theme.
For details of the workshops and how to book visit www.medway.gov.uk/gillinghamPOW
The artworks will be on display until the end of October. People are being encouraged to take photos and share them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #GillinghamPOW.
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Jenni Horn