A jump of t' pantry door and a bite of t' latch

Photograph credit: Kevin Dyer
 

Step into a world where memory, storytelling, and artistry intertwine. In her evocative installation "A Jump of t' Pantry Door and a Bite of t' Latch," artist and illustrator Emma Reynard invites us to explore the rich tapestry of life in St Helens through a deeply personal and imaginative lens. Drawing inspiration from her 90-year-old mother's recollections, Emma transforms everyday objects, sounds, and ephemera into a cabinet of curiosities that captures the spirit of a bygone era that is currently installed as part Arts In Libraries programme at St Helens Library, The World Of Glass. 

Who are you, and what drives your artistic projects?

I am a freelance Artist/Illustrator and Educator. My work is a reflection of my diverse interests, spanning film, literature, natural history, and the spirit of exploration. I am drawn to the idea of storytelling through objects and images, arranging them in ways that invite viewers to engage with the narratives I build. Whether through stills from a film, moss and lichen collected from walks in the forest, objects found in museum collections or a life story unravelled. I explore how the seemingly ordinary can hold deep significance when viewed through a particular lens.

A central theme in my work is the concept of collections and series. Each series is a narrative in itself, unfolding over multiple pieces that work together to create a larger story. For example, my ongoing project based on Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca (1940), adapted from Daphne du Maurier's novel, consists of 180 drawings inspired by scenes from the film. These works are displayed in groups of 30, arranged within 6 frames, mirroring the way a film reel unfolds or how a story is broken down into chapters. The collection reflects the emotional and atmospheric weight of Rebecca, allowing viewers to step into the psychological world of the film, examining the tension, the shadows, and the layers of unspoken emotion.

My work is an invitation to pause, reflect, and discover the stories hidden in plain sight. Through the act of collecting, arranging, and displaying, I create spaces where the viewer can explore themes of memory, narrative, and perception, drawn from both the natural and the imagined.

What inspired you to create "A jump of t' pantry door and a bite of t' latch"?

My mum is 90 years old now, and I wanted to collect some of her stories about growing up in St Helens. Collating stories she has told me over the years but also discovering new things and finding out how the area has changed over time. I enjoyed collaborating with 2 of my brothers on this piece, one who collected the stories from my mum and the other who helped to edit and compile the audio works so I could use them as part of the piece.

Can you explain the meaning behind the title of the installtion?

"A jump of t' pantry door and a bite of t' latch" is a St Helen's saying which I was brought up with, when asked "What's for tea?" I wanted the title to reflect the personal and local aspect of the artwork and also to maybe create a sense of intrigue with those who were unfamiliar with the saying.

How did you gather the objects, memories and sounds?

I am an avid collector of ephemera and objects and am always on the lookout for things which strike an element of reminiscence with me. For this particular piece, I used a lot of old 1950s magazines for the collage work, and objects such as hair rollers, old flip matchboxes, shards from chandeliers and old haberdashery items. However, I also handmade some of the objects including the metal alligator, the smell bottles and the layered drawings of the couples jiving.

The memories from my mum were mainly collated by my brother, who lives close by to her. Initially she wasn't too keen on being recorded and having her voice played as part of the installation, but I think she's quite proud of it now.

How did you go about getting this project exhibited?

Initially the Bureau was exhibited at Eccleston Library, but unfortunately it wasn't as well advertised and attended as we all hoped. This was due to strict Covid restrictions and also the death of The Queen. It was great that I was able to 'resurrect' the Bureau for another chance to be seen by the public at St Helens Library, The World of Glass and possibly another library after that.

Why did you decide to take this installation into schools?

I was asked if I would be interested in leading 2 school workshops inspired by my installation. I thought it would be great for the pupils to see my artwork close-up and for me to be able to explain to them what it was about and give them the opportunity to ask questions.

It was a perfect opportunity, allowing me to show them my work and to get them to think about how they could create a piece of their own work inspired by my Bureau. A lot of the pupils have never been to an art gallery or seen original artwork close up.

How did the kids react to the installation?

They all really loved it. They were excited as soon as they saw the Bureau as they had never really seen that kind of object, and they had to guess what it was a few times before they got it right.

They all enjoyed looking through the assemblages in each drawer and discussing what it was about. They asked lots of questions about how I had made it and what materials I had used.

They all enjoyed listening to some of the audio tracks too and listening to some Jive music. Many children compared things mentioned in the audio to what St Helens is like nowadays. It encouraged a lot of conversation, not just with the pupils, but also the staff.

They went away feeling inspired to think about how they would approach their own piece and what objects they were going to bring in.
 

How do you hope people will feel or what do you hope they will take away from experiencing your installation?

I would love people to feel a sense of reminiscence with the work, particularly older people who possibly grew up in St Helens. Remembering certain places and events such as weekend dances at the CO-OP, local shops, school life during the war and the Big Freeze in 1963. There are also elements which are quite amusing such as an escaped hamster at the cinema, and the pet alligator who lived in The Grotto at Lowe House church. The Bureau also contains interactive elements where the viewer can open up concertina and handmade books and there's a drawer containing bottles of smells designed to evoke memories of past events, places and people.

I would love people to feel inspired to talk about their memories of St Helens, and share their own experiences. Maybe even feel inspired to create something of their own to capture a personal memory.