Glow Globes Gloucester - 2022

Commissioned to conceptualise and create the 'Glow Globes' for Gloucester's 'Bright Nights' Festival in 2022. This project beautifully aligns with Maya’s artistic practice, which frequently explores the rich intersection of community engagement and site-specific storytelling. 

Drawing inspiration from the city's layered past, dialogue with local school children and interweaving her own artistic insights, Maya meticulously crafted ten individual and illuminated dioramas. Each miniature world, encased within a large transparent dome, encapsulated a distinct and significant moment in Gloucester's history. The materials employed were a diverse mix of media, predominantly recycled and repurposed, with the notable exceptions of LED lights and, rather delightfully, some cheese (which, I'm assured, was enjoyed later!).

The 'Glow Globe' trail, installed across various venues throughout the city, further incorporated an engaging digital element. Members of the public were invited to playfully interact with these small-scale narratives, triggering snowfall within the domes via their smartphones, thus fostering a dynamic and accessible engagement with Gloucester's cherished local heritage.

Sir Frank Whittle- invented the first British jet engine aircraft, which took its first flight in 1941, inspired by pupils from Gloucester schools

Cheese Rolling on Coopers HIll~ People chasing cheese down a precipice on a bank holiday monday!~ Inspired by my love of cheese and crazy customs!

Aethelflaed Daughter of Alfred the great, based herself in Gloucester and is buried in St Oswald's Priory. “She is unique in Anglo Saxon England as a woman ruling in her own right and unique in British history in that she passed her power onto her daughter.” (Dr Downham)~ Inspired by pupils from Gloucester schools

The Gloucester Cathedral~”Cathedrals, luxury liners laden with souls, holding to the East their hulls of stone” (W.H. Auden) ~ inspired by pupilGloucester schools

Samuel Bowly- One of the prime movers along with William Wilberforce, in the abolition of slavery in the early years of the nineteenth century. When he died in 1884, his home town of Gloucester came to a standstill as thousands turned out to pay their respects. “His love of human freedom was his ruling passion” (From his biography by Anthony Barlow)

World War One- “Lest we forget”- inspired by poems from pupils

Humpty Dumpty- The nursery rhyme is said to be based on a story about a cannon with the same name, used in the siege of Gloucester, which exploded at Llanthony Priory, whilst aimed at the cathedral by royalists.

Doctor Foster- The nursery rhyme is said to be based on a story about King Edward the first, who fell off his horse into a puddle when he traveled to Gloucester and refused to visit the city ever again!

GLEVUM-In AD 48 this was the Roman name for Gloucester, where an important fort was built. There is still lots of Roman city below our feet.

Frederick Sanger- This brilliant yet humble Gloucestershire born biochemist received two Nobel prizes, one was for his work in determining DNA. As noted in his obituary, he described himself as “Just a chap who messed about in a lab”