In 2012, artist Bob Clayden undertook a 6-month residency at Drury Lane Library, Wakefield – a former Carnegie Library, Wakefield’s first free library. This was immediately before its relocation to new premises, and the building being redeveloped in 2013/14.
We Gathered Our Photographs and Left was an exhibition of images created over those six months in and around the former library as the building began a gradual transition from the library into new artist studios, as part of The Art House.
Made using a solargraphic technique, pin-hole cameras were placed inside and outside the building to record the changing architecture and sky in single long-exposure images. The images show the trace that the sun makes in the sky, changing each day as the earth rotates, and rising as the seasons pass. By looking at the finished solargraph individual days can be seen, just as years can be identified in tree rings. The images were combined with diary entries and library lending statistics to emphasise this passage of time and mark significant dates in the life of the artist. The series echoes humanity’s love of creating and keeping memories as photographs, whilst also making the passing days visible in a single still image.
Further images from the series were also displayed on the hoardings outside the new Library in Wakefield One.
