You Heard Us: No More Nowt

You Heard Us: No More Nowt is a socially engaged public art project commissioned by No More Nowt, developed by Lizzie Klotz and Luca Rutherford in collaboration with photographer Amelia Read, which builds on Luca’s wider You Heard Us series exploring visibility, collective voice and people taking up public space.

Developed through long-term engagement with over 100 participants across communities in Quaking Houses and Wheatley Hill, the project centred around the belief that the craft of the work was not only in the final artworks, but in the process of developing them, and in how relationships were built with communities throughout that process.

At Quaking Houses Village Hall, Lizzie and Luca joined existing activities including Toddler Group, Card Trading, Walking Group and Roller Skating sessions. At Greenhills Centre they created a new Storytime session for parents, carers and babies.

Food and hot drinks were provided for participants at Greenhills Centre, alongside many shared pots of tea and packets of biscuits with the team at Quaking Houses. Through ongoing conversations and growing trust, participants collectively shaped the final artworks, deciding themes, content and locations.

Working alongside photographer Amelia Read, the project resulted in a series of large-scale public artworks celebrating the people and places connected to each community. Portraits and landscape photographs were installed on the exterior of Quaking Houses Village Hall, while at Greenhills Centre photographs of parents and children were transformed into illustrated murals and interior artworks by graphic designer Sally Poore.

Since You Heard Us, Greenhills Centre have continued providing food and hot drinks during their baby and toddler sessions, while the relationship with Quaking Houses Village Hall has continued through further projects shaped around the interests of the community.

With thanks to everyone who took part in and supported You Heard Us, especially Tammy at Greenhills Centre, and Vicky, Sarah and Sam at Quaking Houses Village Hall.

You Heard Us commissioned by No More Nowt through their Arts Council England supported Let’s Create commission.