Meet the Artists: Paul Brunton and Eileen Frater
Remembering Together: East Ayrshire have appointed their artists to co-create memorials with communities. Meet Paul Brunton and Eileen Frater.
Paul is a singer-songwriter based in Ayrshire (The Sundancer) and for the last ten years he has run Rock ‘n’ Role Models where they inspire people of all ages to be creative through songwriting. Working with schools, in communities and with businesses to unlock the creative potential that is within each one of us.
Eileen graduated from UWS in July 2012 with a first class honours degree and formed her company Prancing Jack Productions Limited, she has been making short documentaries for East Ayrshire from the very start of her career in film making. She has created films to support and evidence many projects within the Ayrshire community, in particular within schools in both South & East Ayrshire and loves to engage people in conversations rather than formal interviews when filming.
Paul Brunton
Paul says: “The opportunity to work on this project allows Rock ‘n’ Role Models to do what we do best…creatively engage with communities. Through creative music-making and artistic challenges with a tipi as a focal point, we look forward to listening and engaging with the people of East Ayrshire on their experiences of Covid and the creation of a fitting memorial going forward.”
Eileen Frater
“We plan to engage in a creative conversation outdoors with 5 communities in East Ayrshire and from this create a short film which we will screen in a free showing open to the public and participants.
During the period of Lockdown people of all ages across the world were asked to make huge sacrifices in order to protect the most vulnerable in society. It has affected the lives of everyone and forced people to look at what was important in their lives. Some lost their lives due to the virus, relationships were changed and reflected upon in what was a global phenomenon.
As our lives return to a ‘new normal’ we have all changed. Who better than artists, who represent and reflect the thoughts, feelings and emotions in society, to express our collective response to such an historic moment in human society? How has this experience changed how we view our neighbours, friends, work colleagues, family and our approach to living our lives? What is truly important?”
Eileen says: “I consider film one of the best methods of capturing individuals’ stories and hearing their voices and this was the reason I submitted my interest in this project. This will also be another opportunity for us to work collaboratively again with the team at East Ayrshire Creative Minds and with Paul Brunton of Rock n Role Models.”