While shielding and busy working with older people through the Friendly Communities project, one of Jude’s many artistic projects is creating a temporary shelter called a ‘bender’. Jude first encountered bender building at various peace camps from the 1980s onwards, this one is a ‘play bender’ made for their grandchildren.

Bender materials

An image of the materials Jude Woods has used to create a bender shelter.

This act of making a shelter is a reminder of how ‘homemaking’ is a universal drive, as making a den or base remains a timeless childhood activity.

Artist-Illustrator Bobbi Rae is working on a trilogy of large 2D prints, the colourful abstract forms depicted are to be inspired by the work of the other two artists as well as the responses of all those who reply to the call #WhatDoesHomeMeanNow. Like all artworks, the prints are to be displayed in the Art Hostel. We will be able to animate the prints through an AR app (online and in-situ).

Meanwhile, shielding in another part of Leeds, textile artist Sheri is missing her family gatherings – a vital part of West Indian culture. She is also missing family members who live in St Vincent, a location that she calls ‘home’, in addition to Leeds but is unable to undertake her annual visit due to current restrictions.

Art in the Making

Embellishment materials from Sheri Cuffe's project for HOME.

‘Home is not a place it’s a feeling’ a phrase posted by an Art Hostel resident in 2018 (Seeding Art Currency, project) really resonates with Sheri. She is currently collecting responses from her friends and family (near and far) through a series of questions about home.

Likewise, Jude, Sheri, Bobbi, and Janine invite everyone to explore the concept of home since the C-19 crisis, with posts to #WhatDoesHomeMeanNow. Through capturing a portrait of home through many (local and global) voices, these responses will occupy HOME, as they are entwined in further (on and offline) participatory activities taking place at the Art Hostel in April 2021.

Other things!