Arrival Of An Artist With A Bang
Being an artist, I just had to move to Folkestone from
Canterbury to take part in the emerging art scene. I had no idea my arrival at
the end of February would be so dramatic. An earthquake, flood and fire were
just a few of the things I seemed to have brought with me. What next, my friends
have asked - a plague of locusts!
As I lay in bed one Saturday morning looking at all the boxes I should unpack,
there was a loud explosion and my bed shook from side to side. I ran down two
flights of stairs and thus met my neighbours for the first time as we stood,
slightly dazed and oddly attired, in the street. Our houses are now encased in
scaffolding as we await the arrival of builders to repair the damage. I wish I
had the courage to climb the scaffolding and take photographs of the Creative
Quarter from a seagull's perspective.
A few months later, the longest thunderstorm and torrential downpour I have
witnessed, caused a flash flood. The water was lapping against the doors of the
Bingo Hall and people had to climb onto the small island to avoid the
approaching tide. Was this a sign I should design "art boats" not "art
furniture." Still the boxes remained unpacked.
April came and we had a burst of summer weather. I decided to leave the boxes
and explore the wonderful scenery Folkestone has to offer. I sat on the beach
thinking how fortunate I was to have all this on my doorstep. A few boxes were
unpacked but without much enthusiasm. However, I had installed some of my art
work in the house so the important task had been achieved.
One quiet Sunday evening I noticed black smoke coming from a basement flat just
up the road. We called the Fire Brigade and flagged down the fire engines before
they missed the turning. Fortunately no one was in the flat and the fire was
soon under control. This made me realise how marvellous the emergency services
are and how lucky we are to have such immediate access to them.
Sadly, I did not bring a very good summer with me but September did give us some
glorious sunshine. My son was visiting from Costa Rica then and I managed to
send him home more tanned than when he arrived. He helped me begin to set up my
studio at the top of the house. The items I had unpacked are now all in the
wrong place so I am back to square one, looking as though I have just arrived in
the house! Maybe my next project will be entitled "Living With Boxes."
I now hear there are plans to return Tontine Street to its former glory with
piazzas, trees and slower traffic. I don't deserve to be given such an
improvement in the street outside my house when my arrival heralded an
earthquake. Folkestone has provided me with so much inspiration already and I
hope to be able to share this by taking part in the South East Open Studios next
year, always providing I have managed to unpack the last boxes. If I have lived
this long without the contents, do I really need them?
Gillian White.
Article from Go Folkestone Newsletter December 2007
