February 2024
In February of 2024 I was fortunate to be given access to Prospect Cottage for a day, as an artist’s R&D retreat. I am grateful to Creative Folkestone for the opportunity to spend the day in the former home of filmmaker, artist and activist Derek Jarman. I spent the day thinking deeply about how he, and his creativity was affected by the beautiful landscape of Dungeness.
I made some watercolour studies during the day, but also decided to document experience using a Game Boy Camera. The pixelated ghostly images of this early digital technology seemed to go well with the faded landscape of discarded man-made objects. The video embedded below shows some of these photos, and explains better why I like using the device as a way of seeing my surroundings in an unusual way.
I had many thoughts and feelings about Derek, how could I not meditate on his life whilst spending time in his home. One primary thing I noticed was how there was so much evidence of a creative life cut short. The home was filled with things Derek had made and tinkered with, the home would have kept evolving were he still around but without him it had been turned into a monument, a lifeless thing… yet the wild desert of Dungeness still had life and inspiration to give.
I spent most of my day outside, thinking about new creative responses, I think that felt more true to his spirit.
Lastly I include some pictures of hand painted signs that were dotted around the small buildings. They remind me of Ed Ruscha paintings, and I have a feeling they’ll pop up in some future project of mine.
Jim Lockey 