Settling; Exploring Human Migration to Stoke-on-Trent

Settling began as a 3 month, summer residency with local arts organisation Appetite (Part of Arts Council England funded Creative People and Places programme) and photography producer GRAIN projects. The brief, co-designed by the local community, was to create a display for the local festival The Big Feast ‘17 on the topic of human migration to Stoke, using local people’s personal photo albums. The stories Ivin discovered during the residency were so fascinating and poignant he decided to apply for Arts Council England funding to expand the work. Settling explores the different stories of people who have moved to Stoke-on-Trent from around the world. Settling was supported by GRAIN Projects, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Appetite and Arts Council England and was exhibited at Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Hanley from May to September 2019. Made in collaboration with local residents, Settling is a series of diptych portraits that tell the stories of people who have moved to Stoke-on-Trent from around the world. Stories include the life journey of World War Two veteran Walerian Tyminski, Pat Phillips the wife and business partner of a local artist, and Aida Haughton’s story on finding love in post-war Bosnia & Herzegovina. Dedicated project website at: www.settlingstoke.com