The Vital Role of Hands: part 2 (2020-21)

By

Emma N.J. Long

A figure wearing a turquoise jacket, pink trousers and pink gloves holds a photograph showing a floral-patterned facemask balancing on a reed diffuser which is on top of a saucer on a windowsill. Underneath the saucer is a £10 note. The person’s fac…

A figure wearing a turquoise jacket, pink trousers and pink gloves holds a photograph showing a floral-patterned facemask balancing on a reed diffuser which is on top of a saucer on a windowsill. Underneath the saucer is a £10 note. The person’s face cannot be seen. Photograph credit: Emma N.J. Long

 

A digital photo journal exploring the concept of care provided to older ladies in the dual role as Covid-19 mutual aid volunteer and socially engaged practitioner.

Following on from the 'Home Work' Commission I received in April 2020 from 'Heart Of Glass' to contribute towards the digital 'Compendium of Care' this is the second instalment of this photo journal which has a completely different feel to the first.

My duties as a volunteer, 'snapshots' of significant objects and moments have all taken place during the cold, winter months. At times, the weather has prevented us from having those 'deep and meaningful' or even sustained conversations.

Despite that, the photographs document a deeper connection between us as one lady encourages me to walk down past the front door and to peer through the window to take a photograph of a photograph of her son (who nearly became a model) with his friend who did go on to become a famous Supermodel. The other lady asks me if I can take her to a local town centre to do some grocery shopping on New Year's Eve. Due to her chronic knee pain, she cannot get out to the Launderette so I also offer to do some of her laundry.

For a few hours, her personal items become a temporary presence in the home I share with my partner.

To see the Part 1 of The Vital Role of Hands, click here.

Featured
Emma N.J. Long

Emma studied Fine Art at Staffordshire University where she formed a 'feminist' creative duo ; 'Mad Cows' with a fellow student to explore the 'real' crisis and consequences of the lack of 'healthy' British Beef/cake. They went on to produce a number of collaborative performance, video and mixed media sculptural works which challenged the white middle-class persona of the 'artist' and the elitist strategies of the art world, presenting the opinions of people they interviewed on the Hanley streets as 'larger and louder than life' characters in a subtle, hush hushed white cubed context.

Upon graduating in 1999, she delivered art projects in various settings whilst attending a Foundation Course in Art Therapy and was orginally based at Bankley Studios, Manchester where she developed her interest in co-producing community events for the general public. She trained as a Tutor and taught courses for further and adult education providers before moving on to work as a Community Arts Manager for 12 years where she developed a level of expertise in Intergenerational Art. Since December 2018. Emma has been researching Social Practice and developing as a Socially engaged Practitioner. She initiates, produces or contributes to projects which explore issues specific to a place and these can broadly relate to health, heritage, culture and nature. In working with and for people and participants, she encourages appreciation and exploration of contemporary and participatory art techniques ranging from drawing and painting to photography and performance, yet incorporates approaches and materials from ‘everyday’ life.

Visually, Emma is enthused and intrigued by the quirks, characters and narratives of individuals and seeks to draw these out through combining the human figure with text in various ways. Embedded within her practice are the principles of equality and advocacy; giving a voice to the unheard; illuminating the grassroots experiences of everyday people; providing a creative platform for people to explore, expose and challenge hierarchal and political structures, systems and policies. She is equally concerned with the ethos of ‘art for all’, engaging people who have no arts background; facilitating the exploration of creative potential, emphasising the well-being aspect of art-making, to effect change in a community – large or small for the greater good.

https://www.instagram.com/emma_artissocial77/

http://rossendalearttrail.org/emma-n-j-long/

ProjectContributorMutual Aid, Covid-19, Older people, Care, Photography