It is always an exciting day when I pack for an exhibition. It is also pretty daunting! There is so much to fit in and all of it is incredibly fragile so I need to think very carefully about what combination goes in which box and how the boxes themselves will be packed together to reduce the risk of movement during the journey. Add into the mix the fact that I refuse to buy new packaging materials and the difficulties multiply.
This time I have to get from Cornwall to Hampshire. I have to remember the clothes for the PV and for doing a couple of workshops whilst I am there plus the materials for the aforementioned workshops and many other bits and pieces. All I can say is thank Heavens for recycled packaging! I have not bought bubble wrap for years. Instead, I exist on reusing the wrap and paper packaging from deliveries to my house but the prize goes to some amazing sheep’s wool insulated packaging which my son saves for me from around his dog’s food deliveries. It comes sealed in compostable ‘plastic’, is thick and soft so cushions the ceramics really well and, if I ever think it has had its day, I can just chuck it into the compost bin.
Re:Connecting is an exhibition which has been a long time in the making and I can hardly believe that we are at this point at last. On Friday I will be spending the day with one of the two primary schools in the parish in which Blacknest Fields sits. We will be exploring the fields and, hopefully, discovering some amazing wildlife. Then we will go back to the school to create artwork based on our experiences in the morning. I can’t wait.
Bridget Macklin 