Stop By At 'The Travellers Rest'

A unique Methodist Church-supported art exhibition will invite visitors to reflect on rest – inside a relaxing ‘pub’.

Running from 9 October to 10 December at Shieldfield Art Works (SAW) in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, ‘The Travellers Rest’ is a project created by Toby Lloyd and Andrew Wilson which explores the idea of rest as a form of resistance and social justice.

And, like any good watering hole, the ‘boozer’ will include a bar, a juke box, a newspaper, a radio and an events programme.

Shieldfield Art Works was set up in 2010 by the Methodist Church to support artists in the Newcastle area and further afield and includes a gallery, workshop room and a community garden.

Last year, a new two-year project, Creating Fallow, was launched to explore work, leisure and the concept of Sabbath through art, science and discussion.

The Travellers Rest marks the half-way point and follows two exhibitions, a short film, and creative workshops and events.

Director Lydia Oak said: “Pubs are, above all, buildings which allow ordinary people to meet and talk. They’re community spaces where connections are forged, and deep conversations among strangers are not uncommon.

“As a community-oriented arts project, we’re using this imagery of the public house to explore hospitality, solidarity and leisure. 

“The Travellers Rest explores these perspectives, providing jumping-off points for further conversation.”

The installation will include a library, bar, juke box, newspaper, radio broadcast and public events programme. One of those events is Broadcast Bartender, a live, recorded discussion event which will bring together invited guests to reflect on the themes of rest, wellbeing and livelihood.

Artists Toby Lloyd and Andrew Wilson said, “We’re really excited to explore SAW's themes of rest and resistance within one of our public house installations.

“The pub is a consistent theme in our collaborative practice which we have borrowed from to create environments that blur the boundaries between participant and spectator, expert and amateur, host and guest.

“The Travellers Rest is an exciting opportunity for visitors to share and reflect on these themes of Creating Fallow from an environment that borrows from the social spaces, between work and home, that are in decline.”

Lydia added: “Six years on from the Covid pandemic, we are struck by the need to accept human fragility and limitations – we are not machines, we are created to rest regularly. An integral part of the Christian faith is the knowledge that our value does not come from what or how much we do – we weren’t designed to work all the time! 

“The Travellers Rest will mark the middle of the Creating Fallow journey – a moment to reflect on thoughts already gathered, give space for new perspectives, and make connections. 

“So please come and listen, reflect and contribute to the conversation.”

The Travellers Rest opens 9 October – 10 December. Gallery open 11.00am – 4.00pm Tuesday – Thursday