The Cheriton Carpet 2013

As part of Strange Cargo’s Cheriton Artland programme a new artwork has been produced for Cheriton Library, the Cheriton Carpet.

A number of conversations took place with artists Sally Penfold and Sarah Roëlich, who spent time with the retired members of the Talk Time and Nepali elder groups who meet regularly at the Cheriton Library. They also visited people at Cheriton’s Age UK centre, Cheriton Community Network, older residents at home, and others who contacted us in response to the posters in local shops, retirement homes and post offices, inviting them to get involved.

The stories were collected and transformed into motifs that wove their way into the final carpet design telling the most eclectic mix of engaging, random and personal stories – each an important snippet of someone’s life. Designer Scarlett Rickard has designed the 1950’s style carpet – an era close the hearts of many of the participants - in response to people’s doodles and sketches made during the interviews. The new artwork, together with an accompanying booklet were unveiled at the end of October and are both on display at Cheriton Library.

The project has been generously funded by Carr Doughty, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Roger De Haan Family Trust, Shepway District Council, Kent County Council and Arts Council England.