Monday 19th October 2015


Bank Street Arts
32 – 40 Bank Street
Sheffield
South Yorks
S1 2DS


Dear Becki, Eleanor and Jessie

As I previously mentioned in my email of the 24th September my artwork for the forthcoming exhibition in part responds to Karen Harvey’s essay A History of Bank Street, in Tales from the Orchard.

I’m particularly interested in the section where she writes about women in the street being recorded by their actual name if there were ‘exceptional’ circumstances only. These were predominantly single women, for example women who on being widowed had become the head of households, or on-site caretakers recorded in the business records and census. Most women otherwise were referenced only as wives and daughters. She talks about knowledge being attained through a socially constructed archival record that only allows for the visibility of those relevant to its purpose.

Alongside this research I’ve also been thinking about the writing desk itself, and the use of calling cards by women visitors in Georgian times, as a document of their visit and of themselves. There is perhaps an inference of leisure overlaid with social anxiety about status and acceptance.

When I visited Bank Street Arts the three of you were very visible, and whilst I know documentation of all our presences is now recorded in multiple formats I nevertheless wanted to make an artwork that became a physical and active document of your presence and indeed mine, embedding us further into the layered history of Bank Street. In addition I want the artwork to activate the desk and extend outwards from its drawer, to be taken out visiting.

My request, therefore, is that during the course of the exhibition you use the business cards that accompany this letter. I’m aware Eleanor there is an irony attached to your email address, accounts@bankstreetarts.com, and so would also invite you to write your full name on the blank reverse.

Yours sincerely,
Sarah Carne