Cathy Wade
Artist, writer and educator Cathy Wade is one of the artists in residence for The Bridge that Connects. She has been working across several interconnecting projects that explore differing aspects of the Trevor Basin, through being placed alongside other artists and local communities to respond to the rich contexts, histories and present-day realities of the area. Based in Birmingham, Cathy’s work is underpinned by responding to personal experience of place and the impact of individual and collective voice and action.
Cathy has worked in collaboration with emerging local artist Chiana Hurst. Their project explores the subject of cross-generational and family knowledge of Wrexham Rural through conversation that has prompted adventures, reconnections and discoveries. Cathy and Chiana are working with artist Ian Richards to capture and present this information through wayfinding and signposting in public space.
Cathy’s engagement with local figures Sue Kempster and Catrina Rowlands has developed as a project called The Future Field that explores the potential for economic growth in Wrecsam Rural. This work is informed by an interview with Sue and Catrina that seeks to uncover further histories and stories connected to place and to their lived experiences. The project will be presented in the Trevor Basin.
She has also been working alongside Nan Pickering, supporting Nan’s project that looks at mental health and wellbeing in Cefn Mawr, a project that uses poetry and other forms of writing to express and process challenging emotions and experiences. They are together looking at ways to share this incredible writing with others through sharing knowledge to present the work.