arthur+martha collaborate with the public, particularly marginalised people, helping individuals find a creative shape for their visions and voices. Combining poetry and art, we present and exhibit the work of all the people we encounter with immense care- each a valued contribution to the world.
A Book of Ours (2018-2021)
People who are affected by homelessness in Manchester are making a medieval-style illuminated manuscript, describing their lives, in a 2-year project
A Necklace of Stars (2020-2022)
‘A Necklace of Stars’ is a collaboration with isolated, housebound older people in Derbyshire, Together we are making an embroidered quilt, with a poem and song soundtrack.
Here Comes the Sun (2020)
We invited people from across the globe to make embroidery for a Covid quilt, Here Comes the Sun. Open to everyone, whether you regularly stitch, make art, or haven’t picked up needle and thread since school, all were welcome.
War Widows’ Stories (2018-20)
War Widows’ Stories remembers the lives of war’s forgotten women past present, through art, poetry, oral history, academic research and public events.
Whisper to me alone (2020)
WHISPER TO ME ALONE gathered experiences and insights from people affected by homelessness in Manchester during lockdown, using journals of writing, art and song lyrics.
Moving Panorama (2018)
Working with people who have experience of homelessness, we are combining visual art, songwriting and performance to create scrolling artworks.
Armour (2017)
Armour is a project with homeless veterans, developing creative ideas based on medieval armour.
Sing me to Sleep (2015-2017)
Working with homeless people in Vilnius, Lithuania and Manchester, England. Creating an embroidered quilt, poems, audio pieces and other artwork.
Things to do (2016-17)
Things to do is a pioneering pilot project, working with people living with dementia, redefining relationships with art, carers and the self. It is resulting in workshops and test-driving draft pages for a creative activity book.
Stitching the Wars (2014-2017)
A two year collaboration with older people in Derbyshire. Producing two embroidered quilts, a book, interviews and a series of poems.
The Homeless Library (2014-2017)
The first history of British homelessness. Told through poems, interviews, artworks and handmade books.
Making Memories (2012-15)
Art and poetry workshops in Oldham with older people including those with dementia, resulted in a book of creative ‘recipes’ for artwork and poetry stimulated by reminiscence.
Spaghetti Maze (2012 – 13)
Older people living with dementia recorded their Life Stories, through art and poetry.
The warm /&/ the cold (2012)
Homeless people in Manchester created a quilt out of denim fabric, responding to the questions when where you warm? when where you cold?
Salford (2012)
The PCT researched dementia care in Salford. Our aim was to create art and poetry with older people that reflected what it ‘felt like’ to live with dementia, complementing the more formal research.
Four Acre, St Helens (2011)
Working with hard-to-reach older people in the arts, in an economically deprived area. Workshops at the local Bingo, Chiropody clinic, Tesco, library, day centre…
A Map of You (2011)
Homeless people in Manchester wrote themselves into the public eye, creating ‘customised’ tourist postcards and Lowry postcards of Manchester and Salford.
Patience (2009-10)
Patience, resulted in a book of art and poetry by older people in hospital designed to help people cope with the emotional journey through illness.
Kindness (2007-09)
With older Jewish people including holocaust survivors, creating short animated artworks shown on the BBC big screens and at Piccadilly Train Station.
