My Creative Life: Talking Heads
My Creative Life: Talking Heads
2 December 2021 – 6 March 2022
2 December 2021 – 6 March 2022
The heads on display are the expression of a creative process facilitated by Janna Edwards and the Dorset Museum. Annette Ratuszniak, the former curator of the Elisabeth Frink estate, introduced participants to Frink’s sculptures to inspire them. Working with clay has enabled the group to express how they have felt and still feel as we continue to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.
The project is part of a pilot, funded by Dorset Council and Arts Council England, managed by Arts Development Company using the Help and Kindness digital platform to advertise creative activities in the community.
Talking Heads: the project
Talking Heads is an art installation resulting from six workshops at Dorset Museum led by Janna Edwards of 15 Days of Clay. The experience has given the group a sense of ownership and something to be proud of. It has also brought people back together again many of whom were isolated and very lonely during the lockdown.
The workshops started in March 2020 and were aimed at adults with learning difficulties, young men with mental health issues and older people suffering from isolation, loneliness and living with dementia. Many of the participants had not worked with clay before. During the workshops they echoed the highly textured surfaces of Frinks sculptures, allowing the material to speak as she did. Each group member followed a set way of making the basic head form, features, and colour finish.
The idea was to replicate the way Frink worked and the bold, powerful presence depicted in her heads. By providing a place of safety and freedom from judgement, this project has encouraged the artists to be open. They can represent their thoughts and emotions through working with clay.
Important Notice
On 10 February 2023
Artist Dorset Gallery
will be closed all-day
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Opening hours:
Daily: 9.00am - 4.30pm
Sunday: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Bank Holidays: 10.00am - 4.00pm -
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This project is part of a pilot, funded by Dorset Council and Arts Council England, managed by Arts Development Company using the Help and Kindness digital platform to advertise creative activities in the community.
The Artists
“I’ve found the workshops very relaxing, with no pressure, just encouraged to be myself. Working with clay has been challenging and to begin with I found it a struggle, but the more I’ve attended, the more I think I’ve achieved.”
“I’ve always liked craft work. It’s a good way to put feelings and memories across. Some people explode with emotion and some people do it quietly. This has been a different way of saying what I think.”
“Working with clay totally absorbs me and I forget other things. I’ve enjoyed working with my hands, just playing with the clay.”
“Since taking part I’ve met up with other people and have made new friends. I’ve chosen to put a rainbow in the middle of my sculpture. My head is gazing up at that rainbow, dreaming.”
Elisabeth Frink
Elisabeth Frink (1930-1993) Dame Elisabeth Frink RA, one of the most significant British sculptors of the 20th century, lived in Dorset from 1976 until 1993. She dealt with themes that reflected upon human existence. Drawing and printmaking played an important part in the development of her ideas.
What's On
3 October 2022 - 8 February 2023
Unmasked
Unmasked is a local, voluntary project that began in the dark days of March 2020, when a new disease called COVID-19 literally stopped the world as we knew it.
Find out more3 December 2022 - 26 February 2023
I Grew Up 80s
This winter visitors to Dorset Museum are invited to take a trip back in time with the nostalgia-filled exhibition I Grew Up 80s.
Find out more3 February 2023 - 10 March 2023, 10am -12.45pm
Drawing Into Life – 6 Week Creative Course with Helen Garrett
Winter can be a deeply creative time. We notice luminous landscapes, animals scuttling into their shelters or out searching for food, tempestuous weather patterns, colours, and endless changing skies.
Find out more5 February 2023, 10:30am-12:00pm
I Grew Up 80s ArtyFacts
Create your own weaving crafts inspired by our I Grew Up 80s exhibition.
Find out more7 February 2023, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Archaeology Highlights Tour
Explore archaeological treasures held by Dorset Museum – from Bronze Age gold to medieval silver - in this volunteer-led tour.
Find out more14 February 2023, 10:00am-12:00pm
I Grew Up 80s ArtyFacts
Use modelling clay, plasticine, and play dough to create your own 1980s inspired creatures.
Find out more14 February 2023, 11:00am - 12:00noon
Dorset Museum Highlights Tour
Explore 250 million years of Dorset’s history in this volunteer-led highlights tour of Dorset Museum. Discover Roman mosaics, fossils from the Jurassic Coast, Thomas Hardy manuscripts and the sculptures of Elisabeth Frink – and plenty more along the way.
Find out more14 February 2023, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
FREE | After hours relaxed opening
Visitors can explore Dorset Museum during this relaxed opening for children with neurodiverse conditions and other sensory processing difficulties. Explore the exhibition and galleries with sound levels at a minimum and screens turned off. There will also be light-touch activities in the Learning Centre.
Find out more16 February 2023, 10:00am-12:00pm
I Grew Up 80s ArtyFacts
Use modelling clay, plasticine, and play dough to create your own 1980s inspired creatures.
Find out moreWe’re Good To Go
We have gained the Visit England ‘We’re Good To Go’ kitemark confirming we’re following national COVID 19 guidelines for managing visits to our site.
✔ Face masks must still be worn to keep you, our staff and our volunteers safe unless you are exempt!
✔ Sanitisation stations will still be in place and we encourage you to use them.
✔ Social distancing will remain.
✔ Regular cleaning of our interactive exhibits will still take place.
This guidance will stay in place until further notice.
