We were commissioned by Ripon Museums to produce a series of film poems, working with local pupils and a poet to create some visual art inspired by the abstract movement.  We asked them to think about how a child would feel as they entered the Workhouse in the 1800’s.

The pupils visited Ripon Workhouse and were told stories about some of the children who went there and the various jobs, food and schooling they had.  They came to the conclusion that it wasn’t a very nice place and the children would have been scared and unhappy.

The pupils then worked with a poet to write 4 poems based on the emotions, fear, dread, grief and nothing.

Finally we animated abstract lines and shapes before recording the pupils reciting the poems.

This was a Bronze Arts Awards project.

See the videos below.