Lighthouse has worked with local communities to reflect on what freedom means to them today as well as in the context of the end of World War II.
This idea grew out of the Poole At Dunkirk 1940 exhibition in which Lighthouse and Poole Maritime Trust brought to life the extraordinary efforts of ordinary men and women as a flotilla of little ships – including many fishing boats from Poole – took part in the largest evacuation by sea in military history.
A team of artists led by Heidi Steller was commissioned to help weave all the ideas and elements into this exciting installation at Lighthouse.
“The question of what freedom means to any individual feels deeply personal, with no single or simple answer. As I reflected on this, I began to think about how we might create a vessel to carry these personal ideas and emotions gathered from our communities.” Heidi Steller
In taking the conversation to the wider community, Lighthouse delivered 27 workshops across Dorset with partner organisations including Poole Museum, In Jolly Good Company, and Wimborne Scouts. Participants were asked to consider what freedom means to them and channel their personal freedom through creativity – drawing, writing and making crafts to add to the structure of the boat.
“One theme that stood out was the connection between freedom and safety – that to feel truly free, we may first need to feel safe. With this in mind, our boat took on the form of a nest – or perhaps a cocoon – a space designed to hold, to shelter, and to protect. Within this larger form rests a smaller boat, found and carried along the way. It represents care, connection, and the act of holding space for others. Together, they symbolise a place where all the ideas and emotions expressed by our community groups can be safely held – gently, hopefully, and with respect.” Heidi Steller
This project showcases the culmination of this work in Poole, but it links with 59 other projects with arts centres and libraries across the country to celebrate our freedoms – then and now.
Acknowledgements:
Lead Artist – Heidi Steller
Lead Producer – Rohan Gotobed
Lead Facilitators – Dr Aanka Batta, Tilly Ingram, Jo Malyon, Lorna Rees, Antosh Wojcik
Assistant Facilitators – Jack Davis, Sam Doyle, Holly Spillar, Carmilla Williamson, Annabel Worsfold
Venues and community groups
The Dolphin, Poole
The Tank Museum
Bournemouth Library
2nd Wimborne Scout Group
Hamworthy Primary School
Museum of East Dorset
In Jolly Good Company
NHS Pain Management
Foundry Poole
Poole Museum
Castlepoint Library
Christchurch Library
Poole Library
Kinson Library
Rossmore Library
Parks in Mind
Artful Scribe
Lighthouse Poole Junior and Young Writers
Words For Wellbeing
Photography: Jayne Jackson
