‘Small Journeys’ was comissioned by Leeds International Concert Season. The illustrations respond to the words by the poet Adam Strickson and music by the composer Cheryl Francis Hoad.
January, a millpond
When she dives into the black water,
the damselfly wears a glittering sheet of air.
I’m grimed in a long winter of stuck songs
and home is not our house but small journeys
like this late night dash down to the millpond
because we’re muddling through, not getting on.
But tonight I have arrived.
I have arrived to consider
that invisible, belovèd insect
who dives deep to lay her eggs –
How when she dives into the black water,
the damselfly wears a glittering sheet of air.
Black water by the lay-by, caught in headlights.
I scan this calmness, filter out the traffic cone,
cocktail can and bags that float, that highlight
closeness to a busy road and how I feel alone.
But tonight I have arrived.
I have arrived by the black water
where the damsel fly will dive
and wear a glittering sheet of air.
(Adam Strickson, 2022)
When she dives into the black water,
the damselfly wears a glittering sheet of air.
I’m grimed in a long winter of stuck songs
and home is not our house but small journeys
like this late night dash down to the millpond
because we’re muddling through, not getting on.
But tonight I have arrived.
I have arrived to consider
that invisible, belovèd insect
who dives deep to lay her eggs –
How when she dives into the black water,
the damselfly wears a glittering sheet of air.
Black water by the lay-by, caught in headlights.
I scan this calmness, filter out the traffic cone,
cocktail can and bags that float, that highlight
closeness to a busy road and how I feel alone.
But tonight I have arrived.
I have arrived by the black water
where the damsel fly will dive
and wear a glittering sheet of air.
(Adam Strickson, 2022)
Information
Becky is an artist and illustrator based in York.
She combines a variety of processes to create her work; collage, print-making, stitch and drawing are used most frequently along with digital processes.
She recently completed an MA in Creative Practice at Leeds Arts University, where her practice was deeply influenced by research into ritual.
Visually her work is an eclectic mix of historic and contemporary visual culture, that explores the themes of ritual, play and wonder.
“I am interested in developing large scale interactive artworks that offer audiences a form of escapism or allow them agency over the work in some way.”
Becky worked as a lecturer in Art and Design and now uses her teaching experience to extend her practice by working with the public and community groups. She believes that art plays a vital role in people’s lives and that everyone should have the opportunity for creative expression.
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