Monday 28 February 2011

North end





Anybody that comes from or knows King's Lynn will be aware of Northend, the fishing community  that was situated near the northern part of the town near the river. Despite a hand full of boats and families that still fish in the town, much of the fishing industry has now gone, along with many of the "yards" and buildings in the area.
 I made this piece last year, after reading a history of the community by Frank Castleton, a local historian and family member of a long line of fishermen King's Lynn. It's a chaotic piece, using lino print, ink, and text, but i think it works well with the business that would have been in the area at the time. For me it wasn't just about  the fishermen and boats, but about the whole community, the women and children who also lived there.  Northend had it's own school (no longer there) and church (St Nicholas Chapel), along with a very strong sense of identity.
More information about the area and the fishing community can be found by visiting True's Yard in King's Lynn, a museum dedicated to the North End community and the fishing industry of King's Lynn.

7 comments:

Kate said...

The text definirely works in this.

I really should find out more about King's Lynn... I know of Trues Yard but thats as far as my knowledge goes, terrible really x

Mangle Prints said...

Hi Kate, it really is worth taking a look at some point, as they still have a couple of the fishing cottages there in their original state, with all the textiles like the quilts and the fishing guernseys too, which is great.
There's still many of the fishing families left in King's Lynn, but not many are fishing anymore.

Serena said...

That's really great! I really love the movement you caught in this piece! I would love to visit that area when I make it to your country! :)

A Deegan said...

a little bit of industrial archaeology and social history - i love it!

Jude Montague said...

Really great. This print is excellent with the blocks and the swirl in the foreground.

Helen Hallows said...

Brilliant. It's really evocative of the sea and a bit foreboding.

Mangle Prints said...

Thanks everyone, there's lots going on in this piece, perhaps a little reflective of my state of mind when i made it !