Ruth and I first met in March 2023 on a First Friday Walk, after we had been working together at a distance for many months. We had been sitting on logs in our own locations, writing letters to each other about the nature of collaboration, and other matters. Then we photographed the logs and letters and messaged them to each other via WhatsApp. This was during one of the Covid 19 lockdowns in 2022.
Later, when restrictions lifted, we walked and made maps and sound work together while on residency in Ilkley Moor, Yorkshire in March 2023. Finally, the work was exhibited at Convergence|Divergence in April 2023 in Pitchcombe in the Cotswolds, England.
A letter from a log – Tamsin Grainger to Ruth Broadbent. October 2022Log #1 Inverleith Park, EdinburghI didn’t have any fabric with me so I stitched the map of one of our walks on the back of my T-shirtRuth Broadbent and Tamsin Grainger on a First Friday Walk, Cotswolds, England 2023It was cold and wet walking on the stunning Ilkley Moor, Yorkshire, England 2023Stone mapping: cup and ring marks on ancient rock, Ilkley Moor, Yorkshire, England Woven Words from Log Letters at Convergence|Divergence exhibitionLog Letters on a till roll exhibited at Convergence|Divergence April 2023Stitched and overlaid maps of walks taken on Ilkley Moor, Yorkshire. March 2023
Blended is a Walking Art exhibition on 23rd-25th October 2026 at Granton:Hub, Madelvic House, Granton Park Avenue, Edinburgh, EH5 1HS.
Local heritage site, the Granton Gastower; a tree knot found in the Granton Crescent Park (photograph for Deep Encounters); and the Madelvic sphinx: drawing and photographs taken during walks in the area and inspiration for the exhibition
‘Blended’ will be a Walking Art exhibition of mixed media work made in Granton, inspired by the local history of the area. It will include ‘The Granton Burn’ a stitched banner (currently hanging at Riddles Court), sculpture made using materials from the United Wire factory and found at Wardie Bay, and new textile works based on the Madelvic House sphinx. There will also be works on paper and video, including those made with my Walking in Pairs partner, Kristina Rothstein and for the Deep Encounters project spearheaded by Janette Kerr.
A Board Game made of a stitched map of the walks usingthread and found materials, with cup and counters. Jointly made by Tamsin Grainger and Kristina Rothstein and stimulated by a walk we took in June 2026. Kristina and I walked at the same time and with the same theme in mind, she in Canada and I in Edinburgh (in the rain)
Walking Art is made during or after a walk, and always prompted by the walking and the location where it happens. The medium of the work and the subject matter come from the walk and the beings / people / places I meet. I am fascinated by maps and the sense of belonging that walking gives me. With my feet on the ground and using all my senses, I allow my body’s movement and the surroundings to spark ideas.
The weekend begins with a Community Walk at 5pm on Friday 23rd October in Granton with a shared theme. This is free or by donation and you can book here.
There will be an indoor opening event directly after the walk at 6-8pm at the same venue with refreshments.
On Saturday and Sunday 24th and 25th October, the opening hours to wander through the exhibition will be 10am – 5pm. There will also be a pop-up shop. I hope to see you there.
Walking Like a Tortoise, detail from The Granton Burn. Textile.
