This is the second of a series of posts featuring visual Waste Stories created by students from New College Lanarkshire. In this post, we focus on the related themes of loss and inheritance, which have a special poignancy for George and myself as well as for Mia McGregor, the amazing artist and teacher who made the collaboration with the College work.
We illustrate this theme with two stories, both of which explored the loss of a parent, but from very different perspectives. I think these remarkable works speak for themselves.
Brian and his Ginger by Karen Calpin
Karen Calpin’s combined sculpture and text tell a story about her father.
Story: Brian and his ginger
Brian headed off to work each day in the 80’s, with his packed lunch in a plastic bag, his pieces wrapped in clingfilm and a plastic bottle of his favourite ginger. After eating lunch, he chucked his rubbish in the bag then into in the only bin in the canteen …
All waste headed off to landfill to slowly break down …
This was his daily routine for 30 years … then he started forgetting;
- His lunch
- Where the bin was
- If he had eaten
- Where he was
- …
All waste heading to landfill each week, the plastic barely starting to breakdown …
Dementia had taken hold and Brian slowly became lost in a wee world of giggles and gibbering …
A mere month after Brian passed, his daughter saw an article on line -‘Nano Plastics May Be Linked To Rise In Dementia Cases’ …
Tiny broken down bits of plastic in our soil, food, water, and us? …
What? Plastic on the Brain …
What a Waste.
Bill’s Tools by Deborah Gartley
Deborah introduces her piece, Bill’s Tools, as follows:
This story is based on real events.
March 13. Bill’s shed fell silent.
One day, Bill’s daughter appeared. She took his tools, stacked them in her wee van and began a quest to find them good homes.
Firstly, she explored charities. There was one who refurbished and shipped used tools to Africa. They didn’t operate in Scotland. Then there were the tool libraries and banks. They wouldn’t accept anything with rust.
She tried cleaning them up with vinegar and a wire brush. It worked! But it took time and effort.
She heard whispers of a magical tool museum, somewhere in Glasgow. That would be worth exploring.
What about making creating art from them? That was her thing, after all. Three sets of pliers on a wall, like ducks. Framed individual tools. Soften them with fabric. She felt she was onto something here …
These two, Barry and Colin, come as a pair. For the past 20-odd years, they have worked together with Bill and his grandsons. Many happy memories were made, despite the occasional squashed thumb. Do you have any wee ones you would like to teach some practical skills to? We might just be your perfect pairing!
This is Eric, the baby of the bunch. At a mere 30 years old, he is embarrassed by his boring rubber handle amongst all these originals. Bill’s wife Jackie, a keen seamstress and crafter, took pity on Eric and adopted him, putting her own spin on his style. They had many happy years together working on indoor household tasks. Please consider adopting him.
Hello, I’m Denzil, the oldest of the bunch. I have worked all over and still have my own head and shaft. No Ship of Thesus/Trigger’s Broom here!! While I still have life left in me, it is time I slowed down a bit, leaving the heavy work to the younger ones. Some have cheekily said that I belong in a museum. They might have a point!
Andrew has been faithful to Bill for over 6 decades. He does not feel his working days are over yet and would dearly love to go into partnership with a new person. He is strong, robust and has lots of experience with both wood and metal. He does not feel like he will attract anyone with his rusty head, but he is so much more than his looks! He feels he must try harder than the others looking for new homes, and hopes you like his fairy wings.
