Echoes and Highlights
A place often shrouded in the mists of the central County Durham countryside, built over 200 years ago and easy to miss as you drive west into the hills and valleys not far from the historic city of Durham, Ushaw was once a Catholic Seminary. Set within 500-acres and with a heritage that can be traced back to the Reformation, Ushaw’s Gothic and Classic buildings once housed a largely self-sufficient community. Today, this place of outstanding beauty, history and culture is home to a range of artists and creatives and is open to all.
Highlights and Echoes, an Arts Council England supported project, is a visual journey highlighting the rejuvenation and reinvention of the site as a hub of artistic, creative and cultural activity. By spending time with artists from the newly created studios, the staff and the volunteers who give their time to keep the place running smoothly and those who have historic family and community connections, this project echoes the past which inspires the present and future of Ushaw Historic House & Gardens.
THE WEAVER
As the early morning mist lifts amongst the green and brown swaying limbs of willow, reaching high towards the moody sky, Jo can be found harvesting the supple stems she uses to weave and create stunning baskets and sculptures. Her artistry enhances the beautiful blend of natural colours as she strives to prevent this traditional heritage from becoming a dying craft. The self-sufficient nature of her work, from growing to harvesting to making, is reminiscent of the way in which those who lived and worked at Ushaw existed 200 years before. Jo uses her skills not only to create these often practical works of art, but also to empower others to be makers of beautiful things straight from nature.
THE PRINTERS
Beneath the spires and castellations of the Junior House, hoping soon to be restored to its former glory, Helen and Alan, known to many as Snow & Crow Printers, take inspiration from the Neo-Gothic architecture and repeating patterns of the external stonework, the integral natural intrusions, and the decorative displays and iconography inside these inspiring walls. With spring on the way, the twisting vines of ivy will soon be in leaf, hiding the intricacies of its growth and embellishing the walls in greenery while hiding the sculpted stonework until winter once again returns. As artists who work mainly in print, these two creative minds echo these surface designs and patterns into their work, often inspired by a sense of theatre, modernising the imagery of old depicted within the walls, as well as representing the flora and fauna of the outdoor areas in their beautiful artwork.
THE TAILOR
The threads of history which connect us, connect past to present, connect stories to truths, connect people to place, these are the things which inspire artist and tailor Richard. Celebrating the working class history of those who spent their days within these walls and grounds working behind the scenes; taking comfort in the things handed down from the past. In his quietly disruptive way Richard delves into masculinity, exploding the myth of male/female connections, through his beautifully sewn and often embellished creations. Each shirt brings with it a story of the liberation of sexuality, in this case in a place historically occupied by men. By connecting and unravelling the threads of social history in this place, and being inspired by the surroundings, Richard is adding to his collection, weaving new threads to convey these stories.
THE GARDENER
Feet shuffling through fallen leaves, tools clinking as they work, while the wind whispers amongst the branches; the earthy smell of the loamy ground where new shoots are nurtured, encouraged to grow and replenish these ancient woodlands. This is where we find a small but determined team of volunteers, happily turning out in all weathers to tend and plant, to gently encourage, to support and thrive.
These ancient woodlands and gardens have been the silent observers of history for generations, they have been the sentinels guarding those within, given refuge, solace, happiness and inspiration. They hold the secrets of those gone before and the dreams of those to come.
THE DANCER
An entrepreneur, an educator, a dancer. As a child Jane remembers peering through the locked gates of Ushaw and wondering what mysteries lay beyond; a magical mysterious place full of intrigue and eeriness but also tranquillity. She marvelled as a child at the Gothic façade and imagined the layers of secrets within; as a young woman who went on to study dance she used those imaginings to create beauty in movement as a choreographer. Now back at Ushaw, this time within its gates, Jane channels her skills in enterprise and education to work with artists bringing together the components of their varying artforms into creating something new. Just as dance is an expression of an idea, the surroundings at Ushaw inspire creative expression, interpretation and creativity.
THE VOLUNTEER
Two women closely connected, following the same path, treading the same floors, walking side by side through the invisible shadows of history. As a volunteer at Ushaw, Kath can often be found sharing with historians, artists and visitors the stories from within these once secluded walls. Stories told to her by her mother Kitty, who joined the Ushaw staff as a kitchen maid at the age of 14 sometime around 1934, working in the kitchens until she moved to work in the munitions factories during the Second World War. Kitty’s escapades are remembered fondly by Kath as she retraces her mother’s footsteps through the back corridors of the old building. Kitty would often be found sneaking bread and cheese to the hungry boys at night, none of them wishing to be caught but desperate to dispense and receive that small comfort. Kath is proud of her family ties to Ushaw and joins the large volunteer community who support Ushaw by sharing its history and heritage.
THE PAINTER
The changing face and fortunes of Ushaw have ebbed and flowed around Jim for over 50 years. His work can be seen all around, as you wander the hallowed corridors, contemplate within the sedentary chapels, and take refreshments in the parlour. Once one of a team of painters, decorators, bricklayers, carpenters and stonemasons, Jim is the last man standing from those times and knows every room and corridor within. Photographed in his last week before retirement, the day before his 70th birthday, Jim reflected on his time and shared stories of times gone by. His memories of the orphan girls who lived and worked at Ushaw, many from the distant shores of Ireland; the locals from the communities around who joined them in working in the kitchens and laundry, in the grounds and the stables. Jim leaves with priceless memories and much affection, his time part of the very fabric of the building.
THE POET
A modern day minstrel, a composer of words, Tony paints scenes in the minds of his audience through poetry and performance. Memorable in his flamboyance, Tony’s vibrant personality is at odds with the reverent tranquillity within the old library as he listens to the whisper of the pages turning, as though imparting to him the ancient secrets of Ushaw’s past. Inspired by the mix of old and modern artforms in and around Ushaw, the colours, textures, and calm stillness allows Tony to reflect, bringing forth the words which flow from pen to paper. His whole family creates at Ushaw, poetry; pictures; wellbeing; immersing themselves in a space which he says “allows us to be us”.
FATHER JOHN
With his guitar in hand, Father John can be found contemplating his time at Ushaw whilst walking the well worn tiles of the cloisters towards the chapels. Imagining a monolithic building in a desolate lonely place were Father John’s thoughts when he was first given the instruction to move from his role in the vibrant city of Rome, Italy, to Ushaw in the English countryside, to become Rector of the then Seminary. His arrival soon dispelled those notions, the architecture and beautiful surroundings felt inspiring and alive, and the welcoming friendliness of the staff and students gave him a sense of encouragement for the future. Over the years as Rector, and now President, he has seen Ushaw face huge changes in its use but has not been swayed by the enormous challenges it has faced, and he has watched with great interest as gradually new possibilities have opened innovative pathways for this historic place. Despite the changing face of Ushaw Father John still feels a great sense of spirituality, of ‘home’, and of hope for the future.
THE DIGITAL COMMUNICATOR
An influencer of the digital age, Sanjay may seem like an anomaly in such a historic setting, but his new role as the Digital Communicator at Ushaw allows him to share this extraordinary place using words and imagery. Not yet jaded by age, his enthusiasm to pay homage to the history and heritage of either the places we are from, or understand it from the perspective of others whether it be those from different countries, backgrounds or upbringings, is what drives Sanjay. As you walk into Ushaw and see what there is, it's hard not to be inspired; and as he roams Ushaw, Sanjay reflects in the antechambers and corridors, where hushed whispers of his twentysomething predecessors once hung in the air, he is inspired by the rich history of the place; the architecture being one of the key sources of inspiration for him, from the exterior to the interior. He thrives amongst its inclusivity of age, culture and interests.
From the earliest days of Ushaw in 1808 to the present day, our ways of communication have evolved to become complex and many. Ushaw has seen it all, from word of mouth and first hand stories, through sketch, paint and the written word; then through photographs to movie reels and television, the printed word, and on to digital communication and the world wide web, the opportunities to share the creative and cultural life and landscape of a place is now in the hands of people like Sanjay.
THE EXHIBITOR
With an enthusiasm for art and architecture, Andrew can often be found contemplating the intricacies of stone and wood carved and formed by artisans and craftspeople; marvelling at the scale of work to raise such a building without the benefit of modern-day engineering and equipment. As the Collections and Exhibitions Officer, the stories behind the paintings, objects, architecture, and the history of Ushaw, fire his enthusiasm. Ushaw was an unexpected discovery a few years ago; Andrew was awed by its beauty and intrigued by its air of secrecy, hidden away from view. Opened in 1808 as a working seminary, Andrew sees its nineteenth century development as inadvertently creating a whole object containing many and varied treasures. Andrew relishes the opportunity to share Ushaw with visitors, artists and the wider community.
THE MUSICIAN
A creator of sound, a master of instruments, an advocate of self-expression. From his early days on the UK Punk Rock scene Gary has created a style all of his own, he likes to bring chaos and disruption through music, recording, and breaking out. A nonconformist at heart Ushaw offers space and time; the opportunity for contemplation, self-reflection and allows for a different way of thinking without judgement, but most of all the opportunity to be loud at any time in his studio. A believer in self-expression, there is no defined description for Gary, he is recognisable by his dapper style, his unique fashion sense, his laughter and sheer joy for life. The Musician is the ultimate juxtaposition between Ushaw’s old and new.
