A Book of ours (2018-2021)

A BOOK OF OURS, an arthur+martha project, was “an ancient manuscript for our time”. It tells the inside story of contemporary homelessness. It uses the form of medieval illuminated manuscripts and focuses on the Book of Hours.

This heritage can be recognised as having value and beauty. It also contains its darker side. The book has been scribed by over 150 people with experience of homelessness, or who are vulnerable to homelessness. In it they depict their lives through artwork, poetry and prose. They also use calligraphy, songs, and chants. All their creations are inspired by studying the tradition of illuminated manuscripts.

The Covid pandemic impacted on the project, but did not stop it. Emergency funding was obtained from the Heritage Lottery in autumn 2020. This funding was used to run socially-distanced workshops and use activity packs. It also helped deliver one-to-one workshops by phone and experiment with various Covid-safe techniques.

Made 2019-21 at the Booth Centre, Back on Track and other support centres, including Invisible (Manchester) and Inspiring Change Manchester. A BOOK OF OURS debuted at Bury Art Museum in July 2021. The debut included an exhibition of the unbound pages of the manuscript. It was finally launched as a leather-bound original illuminated manuscript of over 100 pages at Manchester Cathedral in October 2021. This event included performances by participants. The book is now at its permanent home at John Rylands Library in April 2022. There, it will be on show among the world-class collection of ancient manuscripts held by the Library.

A BOOK OF OURS was devised, directed and led by artist/maker Lois Blackburn and poet Phil Davenport. They collaborated with Calligrapher Stephen Raw and songwriter Matt Hill. The project offers digital materials, including a free catalogue download (see link below). This includes all the manuscript pages and an extensive Commentary by Professor Jeffrey Robinson. The entire song cycle was made in collaboration with Matt Hill and Phil. It is available on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Amazon for download.

“To start with, it was a place to go where I wouldn’t drink or take drugs until later on in the day. Maybe learn something, and I learnt lots and lots. I learned that I can write, that I can write stuff other people might actually be interested in… the education they have given me is unbelievable.” Participant Lawrence McGill

Contact Lois, to download your FREE ebook.

Featuring a photo of every page in the handmade book. It includes participants’ quotes. There are forewords from Amanda Croome (Booth Centre) and John Hodgson (John Rylands Library). The book also contains a full list of participants and short essays. These are from artist Lois Blackburn, writer Philip Davenport, musician Matt Hill, calligrapher Stephen Raw, and Professor Jeffrey Robinson.

“A bunch of down and outs is what you get called. The harsh judgements. And sometimes we judge ourselves even harder. When you’ve lived this life, you don’t feel always good about yourself. Know what I’m saying? But here — you do feel good. When you ask me is telling this story worthwhile, I don’t even hesitate. Of course it is, of course it is!” Roy