SUPPORT US WALKING 100KM FROM LEEDS TO HULL!

Anisa, Nate, Monika and I met last year during Union 23 . Throughout this year-long professional development programme for artists and activists based in the North of England we have been learning and reflecting on our practices. Together with the rest of the cohort we visited four different Northern towns in England including Leeds and Hull (it was my first time there!)

So when we saw an opportunity to apply and be commissioned by Slow Ways to walk between Leeds and Hull we jumped on the opportunity and applied...and got selected!

We all share a passion for walking and are excited (if not a bit apprehensive!) to start this adventure on Friday 15th March. We will be walking about 100km in three days, aiming to finish in Hull by Sunday 17th in the afternoon. We will be reviewing each individual trail for Slow Ways so more people can get walking safely. At the end of the adventure we will create an artwork/documentation/story to be published on their website. We are keen to reflect on some key questions, such as:

What role can walking together play in creating social change? What does a mobile artistic practice look like? What does it "produce"? How can it be shared with others? How can we share the experience of place with others considering that how place/space is experienced varies depending on ones own points of view/socio-economical status and identities? What does it mean to feel safe and who can/is allowed/ has the confidence to walk?

These are only some of our starting points! We look forward to see what and who we meet on our walk and let the land speak to us too. Perhaps you would like to join us virtually? You can post in the comments, ask us questions or send us inspiration and encouragement! We will most definitely need it!!

WE HAVE ALREADY RAISED £500 THANKS TO THE SLOW WAYS COMMISSION WHICH WE ARE USING TO PAY FOR OUR TRAVEL AND ACCOMMONDATION. WE NEED A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY TO MEET THE REST OF THE EXPENSES OF THE WALK (SNACKS AND MEALS). ANYTHING ABOVE WHAT WE NEED WILL BE DONATED TO THE MIGRANT ARTIST FUND in support of migrant artists who have hostile environment expenses.