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News

Marmite jars and Walkers crisps inspire Gillingham art

By: Jenni Horn jhorn@thekmgroup.co.uk

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.

Natalie Clark has created mini sculptures inspired by Gillingham's heritage for the Gillingham POW! arts trail Picture: Nikki Price Photography

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.

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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.

Part of Shadow Tales: A Gallery of You Picture: Nikki Price Photography
Mini sculptures are in the plant and tree pits

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.

A 'Will Adams' packet of crisps can be found in the High Street Pictures: Nikki Price Photography (51425451)
Love it or hate it, this Marmite-looking jar is part of the arts trail Picture: Nikki Price Photography

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

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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.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway.

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