Frosty start to 2025

We started the year with a cold front sweeping across the country and, along with the severe frost, large amounts of snow in the North and Midlands and across Wales as well. We, luckily, only had the frost and ice! A local walk was in order, and here are some of my images taken.

Across the footpath in the local fields and all the vegetation had a real layer of ice crystals on it.

Closer up you can see how pretty it made everything. Even a dead sunflower!

Patterns of ice on a puddle

Water gushing from a stream with pretty patterns of ice forming behind it.

And then one of our neighbor's fence had this pattern on it.

Next are some images taken in Christchurch Park, in Ipswich. Again, a lovely morning but very cold with everywhere covered in frost.

The grass in front of the War memorial, and nearby, is white. While this log looked as if it was watching me!  (Perhaps the frost affected my brain!)

Mr squirrel didn't seem much bothered as he sat and chewed his food.

The pond was frozen solid and the gulls appeared a little puzzled as to the solid ground under their feet!

There didn't appear too many people on the frozen seats, despite the picturesque outlook.

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Autumn Colours in Ipswich parks

Today's aim was `Autumn Colours` and a visit to Christchurch Park was our first port of call.  We were blessed with some sunshine, which we had feared would not arrive. So we managed to take a few images, which hopefully tell the story of the Autumn scene.

As you enter the park, one of the first areas you come across is the large pond, and this is where these first three images were taken - complete with Armistice Day wreaths around the perimeter fence. The small high level cloud adding to the image I felt.

Then a couple taken elsewhere around the park.

Individual leaves looking beautiful in the morning light. With the image below taken as we exited one of the pathways, giving a tunnel effect.

These next few images were taken in Holywell Park, another of the beautiful Ipswich parks.

Holywell park also has a pond and it was covered in algae in which this Coot sat! 

Another wider image of the pond.

Then, just to compare the pond in other years, an image I took two years ago of roughly the same position. This time - real water!

So, a lovely few hours out amidst the autumn colours. Enough to lift anyone's spirits, I would have thought.

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Armistice with Ipswich schools - Christchurch Park

Yesterday was the day of national observance of Armistice Day. This is when we, and people around the world, take part in a two-minute silence to remember those who gave their life for their country.

This year marks the 106th anniversary of the end of World War I. On the 11 November 1918, fighting was suspended on the Western Front, so Germany and the Allies could reach a peace agreement, and the guns fell silent at 11am.

It's known as Armistice Day and that's why the period of silence takes place each year at 11 o'clock, on the 11th day of the 11th month.

We had gone to visit Christchurch Park to see the Autumn colours, but had not realised that groups from local schools were gathering to celebrate Armistice Day at the local War Memorial.

This is my record of the poignant ceremony

The officials and the groups of young people start to gather around.

The ceremony gets under way.

The lowering of the flags - a tradition which has come to symbolize mourning, respect, and tribute.

The deputy Mayor lays a wreath

The young people start to lay their wreaths

The Revd Sarah Geileskey, Priest in Charge of St Margaret`s Church, addresses the congregation

The young people start to lay their tokens, made earlier at school.

Albeit we came across the ceremony by accident, it was a privilege to take part, although at a distance. 

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Wild Walls in Ipswich (2)

This is part (2) of the ‘Wild Walls Festival‘ which was a collaboration between ‘Art Eat Events CIC‘ and The Subversiv Collective. They have been supported by the Arts Council of England, Ipswich Borough Council and Ipswich Central. Also by SPILL, The Hold and University of Suffolk.

‘From Ipswich with Love’ - ATMA – on the University of Suffolk’s James Hehir Building on Ipswich Waterfront.

“The mural, called From Ipswich with Love, is like a love letter from Ipswich to the world” says ATMA. “I had the incredible opportunity to do workshops with Ipswich residents. The mural showcases the beautiful spirit of Ipswich: creative, loving, open, forward-thinking. The focus of my work is to create an uplifting narrative anchored in its location. Which resonates with its local community. I hope the mural will become a timeless universal message of kindness, positivity and vibrancy."

It is the largest of all the Ipswich murals and is a whopping 576 square metres - the equivalent of approximately three tennis courts. (16)

Graffiti Gallery - The Mill Courtyard, Wild Walls   (17)

Monkey Fist Knot’  - Hanna Tooke, Art Eat - The Mill Quayside   (18a) 

“Hello, I’m Hannah, a UK based illustrator working with mixed media, collage & cut paper. Influences are broad but include travels, nature, buildings, printmaking, childhood books & memories. 

With backgrounds in Fine Art & the photographic field, I returned to study realising my heart was with illustration.

Since graduating, my illustration practice is developing into children's publishing, editorial & personal projects. I also run collage workshops, designed & painted public murals, & sell my prints & pins at local makers markets & exhibitions. Clients include Art Eat Events, Suffolk Libraries & Essex County Council.”

`Life in Suffolk` - Catalina Carvajal, Art Eat - The Mill Quayside   (18b) 

A Colombian illustrator and visual artist now based in Suffolk, draws inspiration from the places they’ve lived, books they’ve read, and observations of the world around them. Working in both digital and mixed media, their art includes objects, plants, landscapes, animals, and anthropomorphic figures, often exploring surreal scenarios. They love storytelling and weaving metaphors into their work.

`Interaction Ipswich` - Ryan Hegarty, Art Eat - The Mill Quayside   (18c) 

 `Eel` top and the other two are `Aquarium` - St. Peter`s Dock - Leroy Murals -   (19a, b)

The artist has a specific passion for nature, with a lot of his artwork featuring wildlife and plants. He has been painting for more than 20 years, typically using bright and cheerful colours. Other images of this Colchester-based artist in this collection.

Safer Streets -`Violence Against Women And Girls (VAWG) - Catalina Carvajal 

Art Eat were commissioned by Ipswich Borough Council to develop a mural as part of their Safer Streets project about the prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls. Artist Catalina Carvajal helped us to deliver a series of creative workshops with charities Volunteering Matters, Lighthouse Women's Aid and Suffolk Rape Crisis resulting in a collaborative design and a powerful mural. We hope that this bright graphic mural in a prominent place delivers strong and clear messages to passers-by about what a safe street is, how to intercept bad behaviour, what consent means as well as zero tolerance prompts. This mural brightens up a tired part of the waterfront and we hope will serve to educate, inform and protect as part of the other fantastic work that was delivered as part of the Safer Streets legacy project.  (19c)

‘Shark’ - EVEWRIGHT, Art Eat with ISCRE & HMP Warren Hill   (19d)

"We worked with EVEWRIGHT and the Ipswich and Suffolk Council for Racial Equality to deliver mural designed through workshops delivered at a local Prison. The mural was designed and painted in the prison and then transported and installed onto hoardings near Dance East on Ipswich Waterfront. This project was funded through the Stop Loan Sharks Community Fund which inspired the conversations and a design warning against the perils of using loan sharks." This mural can be found along the Ipswich Waterfront.

`Positive Ipswich` - Zoë Power

Zoe is a multi-disciplinary artist and designer, working in the fields of public art, illustration and print. Currently Zoë is extensively involved in several community arts projects across the UK, working with local residents and organisations to bring art to the wider community. This is her contribution to Wild Walls in Ipswich with Art Eat  (20)

‘Stronger Together’ Allan Williams & Adrian Leroy, Inside Out Community & Art Eat   (21a)

Others Murals of Adrian Leroy above and below

‘Turtle Moon’ - Leroy Murals      (21c)

 ‘Pikachu’ - Eyesaw   (21b)

There are several images in the area by EYESAW, so I thought a little bio of him would be helpful. Eyesaw career spans over two decades and he remains a highly active street artist who’s work can be found in most major cities across the uk. Eyesaw's work draws inspiration from popular culture, iconic symbolism, typography, logo design, propaganda, and advertising. His most recent work incorporate a glitch aesthetic.

“For me GLITCH symbolises distortion or corruption this can be seen throughout my work, it also relates to mankind’s addiction to technology living in the digital age. This links with my Street work, as graffiti is often viewed as a temporary GLITCH on the urban landscape….is not meant to last forever.

Here one minute and gone the next, like anything in life enjoy it while you can”.Eyesaw’s work has been exhibited in countless galleries and festivals throughout the U.K. Europe, USA, Netherlands, and Japan. He now runs and curates shows in his own gallery space in Colchester Essex, with a strong ethos of artists helping artists

 ‘Edward Scissorhands’ - Eyesaw -  (21d) 

 ‘Popeye the Sailor Man’ - Eyesaw   (21e)

 `Stork` - Eyesaw  (21n)

‘Karibu Covid Memorial Mural’  - Frederico Ramos, Karibu African Women’s

Support Group & Art Eat   (21f)

The Karibu Memorial Mural pays tribute to the lives lost during Covid-19, and it was brought to life through the collaboration of portrait artist in East Anglia, Frederico Ramos, the children at Karibu Supplementary School, and the families of three individuals whose portraits will be prominently featured on the mural. Together, they worked tirelessly to create a stunning art piece that honors the memories of those who have passed away.

Karibu African Women's Support Group played a vital role in bringing people together to discuss and remember Martha, Sandra, and Chinedu. The group provided a safe space for individuals to express their emotions, and the workshop was a great success.

"We extend our gratitude to Karibu for entrusting us with this special project. Frederico Ramos demonstrated exceptional sensitivity as he led the workshop. We are honoured to have worked with him and the participants.

We would also like to express our gratitude to all the participants who attended the workshop and shared their time and emotions. The preparation for the mural is currently underway, and we are eager to see you all again when the murals are completed."

‘Loving Suffolk, The Hive Youth Mural’, Verity Slade, Art Eat    (21g)

Verity Slade is a British illustrator/graphic designer, and Tutor on the Falmouth University BA & MA Illustration Online courses.

Maya Angelou, Karibu & ACYCLE Youth Mural’, Lily Hammond, Art Eat   (21h)

One of the artists involved, Lily Hammond, said she had worked with ACYCLE to create a collection looking at people of colour who inspired them and, as such, her work depicts American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou."I think it's really important to have people to look up to, to have role models, especially in a rural community like Suffolk," she said. "It's really important to feel represented. Maya Angelou is pretty inspirational. It will let young people of Ipswich know that anything really is possible if you put your mind to it."

‘Kurdish Mosque & Eastern Angles Youth Mural’, Keith Hopewell & Nikki 

Goldup   (21i)

From February to May 2022, Keith and Nikki ran a series of workshops in collaboration with ARTEat for young people at a local Kurdish Mosque and the Eastern Angles Centre. During the sessions we developed ideas for a large public mural to be painted with members of the community along the Ipswich Waterfront. The framework of the mural was based on Islamic window tile patterns and the content inside this grid structure was based on conversations and drawings made by the young people in the workshop sessions. The mural was created over 6 days, with the assistance of the local community.

(Spoilt by the builders I am afraid)  ‘Future’ - Dagz & Roeone    (21j)   

  ‘Tom Cat’ - Eyesaw   (21k)

‘Your Story, Your Power’ - Edward Ofosu & Raul G. Loya with Gorlab, Jitka,

Max, Scouse, Art Eat, ISCRE & HMP Hollesley Bay   (21l)

A new mural has been created on Ipswich Waterfront which was designed, developed and delivered by Art Eat Events in collaboration with Ghanian artist Edward Ofosu, Mexican artist Raul G. Loya and residents at HMP Hollesley Bay prison. The mural was inspired by the Power of Stories exhibition and was produced in association with Aspire Black Suffolk.

Workshops were led online by the artists Edward Ofosu from Ghana and Raul G. Loya from Mexico and educational sessions with objects in the exhibition were delivered by Eleanor Root from Colchester + Ipswich Museums. The project provided an opportunity for prison residents in Suffolk to work with international artists and deliver public artwork in Ipswich for local people to enjoy.

`Power Of Stories Youth Mural`-  Eyewright

IPSWICH is now home to a vibrant and eye-catching Black Panther-inspired mural, thanks to artist EVEWRIGHT and a group of local young people. EVEWRIGHT, who is currently working on an outdoor installation to honour the Windrush generation, led 16 young people to design the mural for Ipswich’s Waterfront area.

The process began with online workshops that the artist delivered from his studio in Essex, giving participants a creative activity to do during lockdown.

Inspired by Marvel’s Ryan Coogler directed film Black Panther, the community created artwork depicts Okoye, the general of the Wakandan armed forces, Dora Milaje. Surrounding Okoye are colourful patterns and various words and phrases such as “black lives matter”, “elevate others” and “strength”.

The mural was painted by Philip Melling and 26 volunteers, including the young people who took part in the online workshops, some passers by, and members of Art Eat Festival Community Committee.  (21m)

 `South Street Studios` - Hayley Wells

“The location for my mural was `South Street Studios` so I wanted to represent the feeling of creative energy and the freedom that self expression brings. I was also inspired by the wall itself, and created an abstract patterned background made of geometric boxes. The skater is then seen breaking out of these boxes, and heading off towards the city with a determined smile on her face.”  (22)

Part of - `Cities All Around The World`- Handford Hall Children’s Mural’  Jitka Schejbalova, Art Eat   (23)

With invitation from Ipswich Borough Council, the artwork was inspired by creations from children at Handford Hall Primary School in 2020. The original drawings were made three years ago, but work was delayed due to the Covid pandemic.

The painting was completed over 12 days in October by Jitka, with help from volunteers and local children who use the park. The 100m hand painted artwork adds to the recent renovations and new play equipment in the park. The theme of the wall is cities from around the world, featuring 12 cities and landmarks including Khatmandu, Paris, Sydney and Rio.

Jitka continued: "We had a lot of children helping to paint the mural, and it was so great seeing so many children just so keen to paint.

Another image by EYESAW which appeared on the Waterfront in Ipswich, but which is not mentioned in the official blurb!

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