Island in a River (2024)
Permanent Exhibition, Yarm, England
Island in a River is a new, permanent exhibition created by Matthew Rosier and produced by Mediale for the newly refurbished Yarm Town Hall Heritage Centre in Stockton on Tees.
Celebrating Yarm’s ancient connection to the River Tees and location on the horseshoe bend of the river, the exhibition features a collection of local artefacts interpreted by ten films, created by the artist in close collaboration with around 100 local residents. The objects are displayed inside the exhibition centrepiece – a replica iron age canoe, carved by local volunteers throughout summer 2023 from a washed up tree, inspired by a prehistoric canoe found (and subsequently lost) 150 years ago. Thought to be the earliest sign of life in the town. At night, reflections of the river Tees and it’s many users float past the canoe, connecting river use past and present.
Credits
Artist: Matthew Rosier
Producer: Mediale
Commissioned by: Yarm Town Council
Videography: Carl Joyce
Exhibition design & fabrication: Kunstruct
Visual identity: Supanaught
AV design & install: ArtAV
Silver nose: Petee Musson
Canoe: Anthony Lloyd-Wallis with Friends of True Lovers Walk
Access consultation: Liz Leck
Photography: Luke O'Donovan