‘I love drawing and co-authored artworks ‘Big Drawing’ is a logical development of these two passions- I really enjoy the challenge of devising and facilitating ‘Big Drawing’ projects they are a great way to promote drawing as an activity, encourage co-operation, have fun, participate in an arts activity, and with a little thought they can help develop and encourage a community to work think, talk and reflect together’.
Quentin Budworth – Champion for Drawing
Early in September 2011 I was asked to create a Big Drawing at Artlink in Hull to launch their ‘ Making Marks Exhibition. I asked the public to create a drawing of Hull’s best bits the most beautiful, quirky, naughty, nice and memorable parts of the city.
The finished drawing was a very human map of Hull and people’s feelings about their City – contributors used chalks and charcoal to make a large scale drawing on a wall in the gallery so there was no need to feel nervous about drawing directly onto the wall as they could rub out and re-draw any bits they were unhappy with. Participants were also are invited to add to the drawing throughout the course of the exhibition through the local press and radio.
What was really surprising and delightful was the enthusiasm of the participants, the excitement and creativity in the room – everyone looked at the Making Marks exhibition and contributed to the Map of Hull.
In September 2011, Artlink did a call out for an artist to use a wall within the gallery to begin a drawing relating to the theme of the ’Making Marks’ exhibition which visitors would be encouraged to continue. Quentin took up this task and developed a project to encourage the public to assist in a drawing of Hull’s best bits; creating a human map of Hull, using chalk and charcoal. The response to this project has been fantastic, and as such the wall used was completely filled with individual drawings from people aged 3 – 80. Artlink would definitely support Quentin if he were to propose a similar project, as his enthusiasm and encouragement on the preview night was highly commendable.
Emma Dolman – Gallery Development Worker – Artlink, Hull
Quentin Budworth 