In the absence of being part of a studio group and starting to work from my studio at home since the start of this year, I joined hARTslane gallery space as a member. It’s always felt a special place to me – diverse, inclusive, with sound values – and it feels a privilege to have had a prolonged connection with such a positive, friendly space. Life’s taken over somewhat since I joined and sadly, I’ve only managed to make it along to a couple of their many shows and events so far this year but I’m hoping that will change.
I did manage to contribute something to Tin, a risograph zine curated by Rachel Lonsdale and Max Melvin, however. The curators propose to: ‘gather the defining mood or spirit of this period … moving across the year with a new open call and new zine every season.’ These calls are open to artists who have become hARTslane members. See link to the various artist membership schemes here: https://www.hartslane.org/index.php/support-us/
And so, in March, I responded to a call for a 200 word piece on the theme of nature for the Tin zine, in which I feel I captured my own defining mood with regards to the UK’s current socio-political climate. Writing the piece confirmed yet again how hard it is for me to separate art, life and politics:
I saw a robin in the garden the other day. The tiny red-breasted bird is associated with the arrival of spring, new beginnings, hope and optimism. Funnily enough, I’d just been reading an article by John McDonnell, criticising the UK Labour Party’s latest policies. The Labour Party is also of course, traditionally associated with the colour red – the red flag, for instance, associated with left-wing politics and socialism since the French Revolution.
The Labour Party used to be associated with hope as well – a champion of the downtrodden and the vulnerable. Nowadays, it’s a different story, as expressed by McDonnell in the article I read. He accused ministers of lacking empathy over recently proposed benefit cuts: ‘treating disabled and sick people callously flies in the face of all the party stands for – the government must rethink its plans.’
It’s also believed that robins are sent as a messenger for lost, loved ones. Perhaps the one I saw represented the deep loss I feel for a political party that truly represents my values, stays faithful to its principles and stands up for those in society who most need it.
Kate Murdoch, March, 2025
