The project at a glance
The Deepings, with its name rooted in the Old English word “deoping,” meaning “deep place,” truthfully reflects the area’s low-lying fenland landscape. This depth, however, extends beyond the physical; the flat marshy land of The Deepings has long been steeped in folklore and shaped by the presence of those who have lived here. Deepness weaves its way into our memories and lives, entwining enchantment, mystery and wonder with the land.
I was the resident artist for the Our Place, Our Art project for the Deepings area, funded by SKDC through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. I named my residency The Deep Places, an opportunity to explore the profound connections between this unique landscape and its people.
I wanted to discover some of those human connections; those moments where it feels as though an invisible thread pulls you towards something meaningful, a sense of belonging rooted in both the physical and the emotional. Whether it’s standing in an ancient church, feeling small under the vast Fen sky or recalling a memory tied to the land, these deep places both within and around us are what connect us to this landscape and to one another.
I ran zine-making workshops, river walks and story circles where people shared their memories and stories with me, and I wove these into a new fairytale created for Deeping. This story inspired a mural now installed in Jubilee Park, rich with shared experiences, everyday details and hidden “Easter eggs” from the memories people shared with me.
The Deep Places celebrates the power of storytelling in shaping collective identity, keeping community voices visible in the landscape.
Workshops, walks and story circles
Here are some photos from the workshops, river walks and story circles where people shared their deep places with me. Many of the drawings on the table in the zine-making photos are by artist Lynne Booker.
Thank you
The Deep Places was part of Our Place, Our Art, funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and South Kesteven District Council. Thank you to everyone in Deeping who shared their stories, memories and cups of tea with me.
