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For centuries the hills around Slynde were the natural habitat of the pantomime horse. Until the village was lost, thousands made an annual pilgrimage for the global pantomime horse festival, held at the village pub, the Nags Head, and performance of the Slynde Players’ mummers play, believed to be an origin story of the pantomime horse. Slynde’s most notable resident was Eleanor, Abbess of Slynde Abbey, canonised in 1613. She was a wise woman, a learned herbalist and fierce adversary of the local earls, who took a dim view of her unusual determination to educate women in the area.
She was responsible for the introduction of the Slynde Terrier, hunter of rare (now extinct) red truffles and propagated the Slynde plum, used by the abbey to make award winning jam. Privately, people thought her a white witch, aided by her troupe of dogs and loyal hare. The work on show is Carlow’s, Lamb’s and Smith’s response to this research, aided by local museums and descendants of families from Slynde.
As if probably evident at this point in our story, Emma Carlow’s creativity energy knows no bounds. We are delighted to have come to know her and encourage you to visit her website, try your hand at making some of her kits or start your own creative club. Don’t be intimidated. We all have the capacity to be
creative and make things. All you need to know is that: “The creative process is the act of making new connections between old ideas or
recognizing relationships between concepts. Creative thinking is not about generating
something new from a blank slate, but rather about taking what is already present and combining those bits and pieces in a way that has not been done previously.”
We wanted to write a piece about Emma Carlow because we believe her creative practice epitomizes the principals of dignity. Through her kits, whistle making classes and museum collaborations, Emma inspires people to learn about the world around them, to make connections, to rekindle traditions, to find their individual voice and experience the joy of creativity. With her colleagues at the Fondamento Dello Scherzo, Emma reminds us of the value of creative partnerships and that our imagination is a muscle that needs regular exercise.
Above Right:
Product of Imaginary Village Slynde
Left:
Product of
Japanese Residency
Photos Courtesy of:
Graham Carlow