Heirlooms

by members of Pure Art Studio

Heirlooms is a collection of artwork produced by members of Pure Art Studio inspired by Manchester Museum’s Heritage Futures exhibition and their own response to the theme ‘Heirlooms.’ The project incorporated 3 creative workshops hosted by the Museum, enabling artists to explore the collection, looking closely at precious items that tell stories of the past.

This work continued back at Pure Art Studio alongside their ongoing artist residency Creative Share. The residency, supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England has enabled Pure’s artists to develop their practice alongside ceramicist Laura Negus, sharing skills, interests and experiences. They explored their personal takes on themes such as legacy, treasured memories, family heirlooms and ‘how will I be remembered?’ This began with artists bringing in their own items and capturing initial ideas on paper, then producing ceramic artworks.

Pure Art Studio is part of Pure Innovations, a registered charity that supports people with a learning disability or autism to create fulfilled lives with a sense of purpose and belonging.

Heirlooms - The Exhibition Gallery

Click on an image to expand and find out more from the artist about the artwork and its inspiration.

I made up a character called Gloria the Gator. I invented her in 2016. She’s a caring thing who has the odd bad day, just like me. I want her to be huge. I want her to have at least six seasons, a movie and a cartoon. I want to be the famous Gloria guy, I want to be remembered as the guy that made that cartoon.

I like spending time on the detail, the face, the features. I like to show other people, my friends and family. I think my work will be passed down through my family. I don’t mind other people looking at it too.

I am an artists and I love to draw. I feel like a super hero, drawing in the world. It’s perfect. I think sometimes it shows people how I feel and it makes people happy.
This is how I want people to remember me.

It's for eggs that are warmed up a bit ready for eating. It’s from my house. It’s very old, you can tell.
I’ve always had it. A friend gave it to me. In the future I’ll give it to my nephew Bobby.

I want to remember mum and dad’s wedding anniversary. Mum had a glass of wine and gateaux, lettuce and fruit. I had champagne.

This is my snow globe. I have one at home exactly the same. My family bought it for me when I was little. I can’t remember why but it’s prescious.

Heirlooms - a short film by Pure Art Studio

Laura Negus - Artist in Residence

This piece is inspired by my grandfather’s maquette depicting himself and my grandmother sitting on a park bench. Spending time in the park surrounding the studio, I have focused on the ‘plant collectors border’ which showcases plants brought over to the UK by Edwardian plant collectors, often risking their lives in the process. Using plant matter collected from this border and referencing forms typical of the countries visited by the plant collectors.