Colourful way to glimpse life of a Roman soldier
GATEHOUSE RECREATED
THERE wasn’t much which stopped the invading Romans in their tracks but the latest addition to Hadrian’s Wall certainly would have done.
A multi-coloured reconstruction of one of the main gateways to Housesteads fort in Northumberland will today be opened to the public.
In celebration of Hadrian’s Wall’s 1,900th anniversary, artist Morag Myerscough has worked with community groups to create the gate artwork called ‘The Future Belongs To What Was As Much As What Is.’
It stands in the exact spot once occupied by the north gatehouse at Housesteads. The colourful re-imagining of the building replicates the original in size and visitors can climb to the top to enjoy views of a landscape seen by Roman soldiers 1,600 years ago.
English Heritage chief executive Kate Mavor, said: “Hadrian’s Wall is one of England’s most iconic landmarks and to mark its anniversary, we wanted a meaningful way to connect people of 2022 back to AD122.
“We hope that placing such a bold contemporary art installation in this ancient landscape will not only capture people’s imagination but maybe also challenge their ideas of what the wall was for – not just a means to keep people out, but a frontier that people could – and did – cross.
“To create this work we’ve engaged with a wide range of community groups who have all played a part in making this such a striking and vibrant piece of art, and living history.”
Morag said: “The moment I saw Housesteads and started walking around the fort I had an overwhelming feeling of wanting to make an installation there.
“I stood in the remains of the north gatehouse and I looked at the wilderness that appeared to be unchanged since Roman times and I knew immediately that was the place.
“It was so important to me, and to English Heritage, that the work was a collaboration with the local community and that it relates to the people it is for. The whole work has been created and made with the local community. We have made it together.”
The brightly coloured wooden outer shell of the artwork, consisting of placards over a large scaffold frame, were designed in response to the collection of Roman artefacts on display at Chesters Roman fort museum, and Roman designs and community workshops.
The words and phrases seen across the installation come from Morag’s collaboration with North East poet Ellen Moran and the local community through workshops where volunteers also helped to paint the wooden placards, following the artist’s designs.
Part of the HW1900 Festival, the installation is open until October 30. The structure will then be removed and the placards offered to the community members who painted them.
The venture is part of English Heritage’s newly launched creative programme, which uses contemporary visual and performing arts to complement the existing interpretation at sites and involve new audiences in distinctive aspects of the history of key sites.