During July and August 2024, local artist Laura Buckle undertook a residency in Speyer, concluding with an exhibition. What follows is her account of those two months.
My time In Speyer was truly life-changing. It felt an honour to be a part of such a long and rich history with the Künstlerbund ev Speyer. My stay at the Küntslerhaus felt like a home-from-home and Speyer will forever hold a place in my heart. The members of the Küntlersbund, alongside all the friends of Chichester, were so friendly and kind, and made me feel so welcome.
Arriving in Speyer I could instantly see why the cities have twinned, and I explored all it had to offer. Learning about the place and people through the local community was a privilege, and the cities architecture, history, and landscape is truly special. I spent my days exploring, meeting new people and of course, making artwork.
Andrea Niessen from the Küntslerbund told me about a flower in the local woods which she saw and thought I’d find interesting: a catkin from a sweet chestnut, which became the main feature in my work. I collected as many catkins as possible from the local woods and brought them back to my studio where I began weaving with them. I created small weavings which I then attached to create large hanging sculptures.
I am predominately a textile artist, but my research is heavily based in the textile industry, particularly waste, and its impact on our climate. Therefore, when I make work I always consider where may materials are sourced, what they are made of, and how I will dispose of them once I have finished. My intention had been to return my catkin sculptures to the woods, as I made them ensuring no other chemical or material would be added. I merely borrowed them. I borrowed thousands more which I used for stuffing my soft sculptures, and these were returned to the woods after my exhibition was over. All the materials I used in my exhibition were donated by the local community in Speyer.
I also hosted some open days at my studio and invited the local community in, to take part in a communal weaving. This was made using materials donated by the people of Speyer, woven by them and in Speyer.
My weaving, hanging catkin sculptures, and many large soft sculptures stuffed with catkins, were shown alongside a mixture of other works. Including illustrations of the similarities and differences I had noticed between Chichester and Speyer, 35mm film photographs, and soft vessels; which were gifted to visitors who signed a contract to become activists by sharing the issues this industry creates.
The works were open to the public at the end of my residency.
Laura Buckle