Meet the Artist: Phil Tomlin
Remembering Together: Renfrewshire have appointed their artist to co-create memorials with communities. Meet Phil Tomlin.
Phil (she/her) is a socially engaged visual artist and theatre director. With participation at the core of her work, she creates hybrid multimedia public art. Her creative practice has punk roots and is positive protest, curious and challenging, it brings people together, shares stories and strives towards positive change.
Phil Tomlin
Phil says “I am a local participatory artist. I’m passionate about collaboration in making public art. I think it is really important that the stories and opinions of a diverse range of people are considered when making a decision about a covid memorial in Renfrewshire. I am a curious and supportive artist who loves connecting with new people, bringing folk together to make art.”
“Remembering Together is about giving time for reflection and memorial. Through workshops, art tutorials and conversation, we will explore what memorial means to our community. We will make memory boxes, photo frames, write letters, poems and keepsakes. We will chat over a cuppa about our experiences during lockdown and since then.
Alongside Associate Artist, writer and theatre maker, Karen Herbison (H-arts) and theatre maker, Craig McCulloch Andrew we will be collaborating with groups and individuals across Renfrewshire to create a unique one off event of memorial and celebration.
While creating art together, we also want to find out:
What does Renfrewshire need as a memorial to covid?
Who were our covid local heroes?
Who helped us through?
Can we now look forward and celebrate or do we still need to take care?
We especially want to connect with people in the area whose stories aren’t often told - please do
get in touch if you can help.”