A NEW exhibition, the fruit of a collaboration between a Skipton artist and an illustrator from Myanmar, will open at Skipton's Mill Bridge Gallery in November.
Print artist Lauren Smith, who grew up in Skipton, along with co-creator Thee Oo Thazin, received a grant from the British Council in January which powered their 'Record of Rain' project.
After reclaiming rags and then forming sheets with a rainwater vat, Ms Smith fed Ms Thazin's illustrations through her treadle-operated, 19th-century printing press to create the finished products.
The changing rain patterns of Myanmar and of the UK are the theme of the project, which draws inspiration from historical poems and traditional weather lore.
In a recent post on the Journal page of her website, Lauren Ink, Ms Smith wrote: "This system is an endless cycle, meaning that the same water falls as rain over and over again.
"Not only does this mean that the same water clinging to this leaf tip fell as rain long before we humans felt it dampen our skin, but also that it could someday fall as rain in Myanmar, perhaps on Thee Oo, my co-creator.
"We may never have the opportunity to meet in person but we are connected by the rain."
Ms Smith added: "As so-called ‘developed countries’ are responsible for a significant portion of carbon emissions, are we prepared to take responsibility for climate refugees displaced by climate change?
"While we build walls and enforce borders, the water on this planet will fall as rain wherever it chooses.
"One planet, one hydrological system.
"We share it all."
Ms Thazin's first solo exhibition was held in 2022, with her 'warm' and 'expansive' illustration style having been reportedly well-received by young people in Yangon.
Her illustrations have been printed with a tactile, 'fossil-like' impression thanks to Ms Smith's techniques and equipment.
Record of Rain will show from Thursdays to Saturdays, 11am to 4pm, between November 22 and December 21 at the Mill Bridge Gallery in Skipton.
A limited edition of prints will be available for sale at the venue.
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