What does heritage mean to you?
We asked teenagers from Slough and East London to think about this question in Summer 2024, when they joined us for our Youth Arts Takeover. They worked with artists and used their creative skills to weave stories from their own lives into the historical narrative of Cumberland Lodge. The participants were aged 14-18 and are based with our partner youth organisations, Together As One (Aik Saath) and Immediate Theatre.
Photography
The Lodge has over 1,000 paintings, prints and photographs on its walls and in storage. Many of these images are portraits of former residents and members of the Royal Family. During their tour of the Lodge on the first day of the Youth Arts Takeover, the young people were asked to reflect on the artwork, and in particular, who is present and who is absent.
Working with artist Theresa Macharia, the group then explored techniques of photography and how different kinds of portraits can be created. For day two of the Takeover, they each brought an item that had a strong personal connection to their sense of heritage. They were then photographed with these items in a style reflective of the existing artwork, creating their own portraits that are in a conversation with the portraits on our walls. Their work is now on display around the building.
Spoken-word poetry
There have been many conversations in Cumberland Lodge over 350 years: stories from ‘upstairs’ and ‘downstairs’; politics and gossip; news from around the world and what’s happening just down the road. Our spoken-word poets were inspired by the history of Cumberland Lodge to make their own contributions that visitors can listen in on.
Working with spoken-word artist Ayaba Poetic (aka Nathalie Hughes), the young people began by thinking about themes that came to them as they toured the Lodge, including power, love, empire, identity and belonging. Over the two days of the Youth Arts Takeover, they were able to share their ideas with each other and develop these into poetry recorded here at the Lodge. They incorporated sounds that form the backdrop to this place and that bring it to life every day: like clocks ticking, cutlery rattling, and footsteps in long corridors.
For some, creating poetry was a daunting task: putting themselves and their ideas out into the world for complete strangers to hear. But Ayaba was able to create a safe and inquisitive environment that enabled them to explore and discuss personal and social issues, much like the work we do at Cumberland Lodge with many of our visiting groups.
Mourning – Nur (transcript)
In the shadow of the Lodge where whispers meet the air. A heart breaks softly in the cool twilight there, each brick and beam a testament to time. A silent witness to the love that was once mine. The windows tall were stories they could tell or whispers soft where shadows used to dwell. Your laughter once like sunlight through trees. Danced through the halls a ghostly summer breeze. Now silence reigns. The ivy twists and weaves around the memories that no heart reprieves. The arch is grand. They curve like questions. Why? Why love once by was left all alone to die? Each corridor a path I wander lost. Reflects the price of love and what it cost. In gardens green where flowers used to bloom. I traced the steps that led us to our doom. The fountain, tears like mine forever flare. The portraits on the wall. They gaze with knowing eyes. As if they feel sorrow for our goodbyes. Their silence speaks of heartbreak. Our stories left untold. Of dreams that turn to ashes. Of, our love that was once told.
Silk banners
Within the Lodge we have a royal standard, coat of arms, and tapestries that date from the 17-18th centuries. We wanted to add our own 21st century banners to this collection. Young people in the textiles group were invited to take ‘selfies’ in the Lodge in poses that made them feel powerful. They also brought in photographs that resonated with their sense of home and belonging.
Working with Kinetika, these images were translated onto paper and taken back to the Kinetika studios for enlarging and stenciling in wax onto 3.5 metres of silk. Patterns and designs from the furnishings and architecture of the Lodge were added as motifs surrounding the portraits.
On day two of the Youth Arts Takeover, the young artists hand-painted the silk designs in an array of colours that also reflect the palette used in the Lodge, connecting their stories to the building. Now, when guests arrive here from across the UK and around the world, they will be greeted by the sight of our banners flying.
Feedback
We encourage you to leave your thoughts on the Youth Arts Takeover. If you would like to, please follow the link below to our feedback survey.
Heritage Fund
Our inaugural Youth Arts Takeover was supported with a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, raised by National Lottery players, which went towards supporting the creative workshops and event facilitation.
