A royal salute to Berwick’s workers and communities
Salmon Queen inspires a crowning extravaganza. Tony Henderson reports
An exhibition is planned which will highlight a town’s working-class “royalty.”
The project is inspired by the annual crowning in Berwick (last week) of the Tweed Salmon Queen.
Local community groups and representatives from Berwick’s industries are invited to participate in the project by artist Lucy Wright.
Funded by Create Berwick and delivered by Lucy and contemporary arts agency Arts&Heritage, the exhibition will honour Berwick’s working-class heritage by crowning Kings and Queens of industry.
A series of photographs – which will go on display during next year’s Berwick (Tweedmouth) Feast & Salmon Queen festival – will capture the “coronations” of local people and celebrate the role they play in modern Berwick life.
Nominations are invited for which industries, communities and landscapes should be featured in the exhibition.
Lucy said: “There is a long tradition of crowning people at events that commemorate sectors of industry – from the Salmon Queen in Tweedmouth, the Coal Queen at miners’ galas, and the Cotton Queens of the 1930s.
“I want to take that sense of occasion and pageantry to honour some of the people that serve Berwick and make it the town it is – whether that’s through a local community group, or by working in some of the town’s contemporary industries.
“Each ‘royal representative’ will be photographed at their coronation, where they will be presented with a crown and other regalia. The images will form part of a wider exhibition where the public can sit in a grand throne and crown themselves King or Queen of their chosen domain for the day.”
Berwick’s natural habitats will be central to Lucy’s work, recognising the link between nature and townspeople.
She said: “Folk customs tell us so much about our communities, and the story of the Salmon Queen reminds us of the importance of nature to Berwick’s industry and identity.
“The town’s landscapes and habitats will be central to the designs in this exhibition – acting as a reminder that we share these spaces and must look after them for the future.”
Stephanie Allen, chief executive of Arts&Heritage, said: “We’d want to hear from people working in all sectors of industry across Berwick, as well as all those individuals and groups giving their time to lead community networks across the town. We want to recognise and celebrate their contribution to Berwick.”
Andrea Oliver, Create Berwick manager, said: “We’re over the moon that Lucy Wright and Arts&Heritage will be leading our next annual art commission in Berwick.
“It’s an opportunity to create a unique experience in the town – something that engages local communities, supports the skills development of artists and creatives in the region, and takes inspiration from Berwick’s qualities, including its heritage, people, topography or environment.”
Nominations can be submitted via an online form at createberwick.co.uks.
Create Berwick is one of three Culture and Creative Zones (CCZs) in the North East Combined Authority area (including Newcastle and North Shields), established to support the growth of the cultural and creative industries. Create Berwick is funded by North East Combined Authority and Northumberland County Council.