Lucy Wood investigates…
THE Canal & River Trust charity and The Poetry Society have announced details of a new collaborative arts project inspired by the historic Sheffield & Tinsley Canal.
Canal Works is a crowd-sourced poem by acclaimed poet Warda Yassin, and it has inspired a striking new installation by Sheffield-based artist Grace Visions, which has been recently installed near to Grade II-listed Bacon Lane Bridge, made famous by the 1997 film The Full Monty.
The initiative is part of the Arts Council-funded Waterlines partnership between the Canal & River Trust and The Poetry Society. Waterlines aims to highlight the cultural and historical significance of waterways, creating new poetry inspired by Britain’s historic canals and rivers. The project also received additional support from players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Warda Yassin, who served as the Canal Laureate for Sheffield in 2020/21, engaged with young writers’ groups to explore the people and history of the canal. Her creative process included a unique word-fishing boat trip along the waterway and extensive walks along the canal towpath. By immersing herself in the area’s natural beauty and rich history, Warda collected words and phrases that reflect the canal’s integral role in South Yorkshire’s industrial heritage to weave into a rich tapestry of verse.
“I took several long walks along the Sheffield to Tinsley canal towpath, collecting inspiration, words and phrases,” she said. “I also researched its history and came to realise how integral canals have been to South Yorkshire’s industrial history and the movement of freight.”
Sheffield-based artist Grace Visions has brought Yassin’s poem to life for visitors to the canal through a newly commissioned large scale art installation. It incorporates an evocative line from the finished poem, capturing the essence of the canal as ‘upside-down sky.’ Grace encourages viewers to consider the connection between natural and manmade environments and shows how art can enhance well-being and reshape our relationship with our surroundings.
“By intertwining art and poetry, I aim to create a space where people can pause and consider their relationship with nature, finding beauty and exploring the wonders of the canal,” she said.
“I chose the line in the poem as I felt it evoked personal memories of visiting bodies of water and the colourful skies reflected in them.”
Sean McGinley, regional director at the CRT, said: “Thanks to Arts Council England and players of People’s Postcode Lottery funding we have been able to develop this project to encourage new audiences and local communities to explore the canal and appreciate why it is vital we keep our waterways open and alive for all to enjoy.
“A source of creative inspiration over the centuries, our waterways continue to inspire new generations of artists, writers and poets.”
Billie Manning, learning and participation co-ordinator at The Poetry Society, said its partnership with the CRT ‘exemplifies the power of collaboration in storytelling and art’: “By working closely with young writers and engaging with the community, Warda has created something that resonates deeply with Sheffield and Tinsley’s collective history and environment.
“The poem and artwork are now accessible to the public, encouraging visitors to reflect on the canal’s narrative and cultural legacy, and enjoy the beauty of art in dialogue with nature.”
Two short films about the project are now available to watch online
To read Warda Yassin’s poem, visit //bit.ly/canalworkspoem and to learn about the Waterlines collaboration between the CRT and The Poetry Society, visit www.waterlines.org.uk
