Linda Brothwell @lindabrothwell considers ‘Acts of Care’ as the anchor of her creative practice; “bringing me home, using my hands, to the very centre of myself.” Since 2009 this ongoing project has had international editions, each created for a new place, using varied skills and techniques. All placed the intention of ‘care’ of public spaces at the core. Through making the work and the tools required, she can spend months or years immersed in the techniques, materials and stories of a place. The first’ Bench Repair Project’ edition was in Lisbon. Linda replaced broken wooden bench slats with new ones city-wide, inlaid with traditional Portuguese designs. She carefully created each tool to play a specific part in the act of care, to fit her hands and be portable for working on street benches. For We are Commoners, Linda revisited the project at a park in Bristol. Each new panel has been inlayed by hand using handmade tools. Imagery of patches and stitches are used to decorate, highlighting the potential for beauty in everyday care and repair. You can see Linda’s work at The Gallery @hull.libraries from 30th July – 17 September alongside work by artists: @amytwiggerh @map_making , @heidihinder @blackwaterpolytechnic @jackyolivermetalwork @commonagencyprojects Lise Bjorne Linnert @gelawesh.waledkhani @alinahazadeh @rachaelcolleyartist @hellohefin @katehodgsonk and loaned work from @ele.carpenter , Claudia Rodrìguez with Ana Joaquina Ramírez, supported by Rosina Santana Castellón, @pinkie.maclure, @fourthland and Alice McLean. Artwork pictured: Linda Brothwell, Acts of Care Bench Repair Project. Photo by Bridget Smith #WeAreCommoners #CraftingCommons #Commoning #Commons #SocialPractice #ACEsupported #ContemporaryArt #ContemporaryCraft #SocialArt #CuriousAboutCraft #TouringExhibition #WhatsOnHull #discoverhull #artinlibraries