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‘Flora’ at Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
‘Flora’ at Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
Artists Anna Wiggins and Joanna Rucklidge collaborated to create the enclosure for the Outpost’s ‘Campfire Talks’ this year.
Anna took over the decoration by designing unique ‘Flora’ to create a beautiful and immersive environment, using hand-made flowers to bring joy through colour and texture. The 3D flowers and leaves were made from repurposed wood, hand rolled woollen balls, and a mixture of recycled and recyclable paper mounted on bamboo canes. The wood was dyed using vibrant eco wood stains and each flower is totally original, made in an organic fashion with components placed together on a whim. The original idea for the abstracted forms was inspired by research into the varied flora found in the Peak district.
The room dividers used rudimentary materials in a sophisticated way - simply tissue and tracing paper. Anna designed silhouette flower shapes and laser cut them in various colours of tissue. Working with fellow artist, Joanna, they meticulously glued foliage and blooms in layers on both sides of tracing paper. This allows light to naturally permeate through the colours and ensures both sides of the paper are visually pleasing when hung. One of the aims of the overall design was to make something that is adaptable, modular and reusable. The paper ‘walls’ can be rearranged for alternative venues, used in subsequent years, and are easy to assemble and pack away. The paper can be easily recycled, or even composted, when it has reached the end of its useful life.
Anna and Joanna are both designers, and artists, who have a common interest in innovating with found and reclaimed materials. Anna describes herself as a maker of “happy things”, whilst Joanna often works with the subject of resource consumption and sustainability in playful ways. In alignment with both the ideals of ShAFF and their creative practices, ‘Flora’ is as eco-friendly as practical.
Anna is also responsible for the giant cardboard ShAFF boulder and the large freestanding letters spelling S-H-A-F-F you may have seen in the box office.
The ‘Onwards and Upwards’ typographic piece exhibited in the Outpost was also made by Anna. Produced using old climbing rope, kindly donated by Access Techniques Ltd, the work is a playful take on an inspirational quote.
Follow both artists and keep up to date on their latest projects. Joanna has just finished a commission for the exhibition ‘Faethm’ in association with the River Don Project, who also attended ShAFF this year to give an impactful talk about our local river. Anna is now busy preparing ‘Flora’ to be exhibited again in the window of Spirals Card and Gift Shop on Ecclesall Road. Anna intends to make some smaller stemmed ‘flora’ for sale. Pop in and have a closer look!
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