Art, nature and life in Cathcart

The #imaginingcommonties walk through the old Holmlea Primary playground is shaped by reverend Derrick Watson of Cathcart Baptist Church, as part of his wider doctoral research.

He told The Extra: “In 2013-14, I asked a number of people to take photos of their everyday life in Cathcart, of what mattered to them in some way. They included a local barbers, dogwalkers, allotments — all aspects which gave a different colour to experiences of the streets and paths around Cathcart.

“The responses were fantastic — deeply moving at times — and the words and images which are part of the installation are only a small part of what was shared.”

A common theme from the interviews recorded was fruitful land, whether it was allotments, Linn Park or community gardens — as well as abandoned or stalled spaces.

Derrick continued: “Another thing to come out of it was a way of using that ground commonly — and #imaginingcommonties intends to use that way of making local meaning.

“The project draws on some of these stories and images of the fruitfulness of living here and puts them into the difficult space of the playground, which also carries many emotions and memories.”

Visitors heading along on Saturday can expect to be greeted by 2,000 daffodils, grown at the church meadow. The school’s back shed will host bright murals with drawings and words from the interviews shaping the installation — while the playground is a place for making new stories.

Derrick added: “I’m hugely grateful to all those who participated in the interviews, to the congregation at Cathcart Baptist Church for allowing so many daffodils to be grown in the garden, and to Glasgow Life, City Properties and Glasgow School of Art for their support.”

#imaginingcommonties takes place Saturday (April 18) from 10am until 2pm at Holmlea School — visit imaginingcommonties.wordpress.com to find out more.