Lilian Jordan, Robyn Owen, Amy Ortiz & Sarah Gillespie – 2021
‘Qui Som?’
map of all the Riu d’art artworks
September 2021 saw the first 32 day Grampus Heritage and Training placement. A group of four artists stayed in the The Valley with the Riba Rocks Association. During the final two weeks of their stay, the group worked collaboratively on a new piece of permanent artwork in the village of Riba-roja d’Ebre. Artists Lilian Jordan, Robyn Owen, Amy Ortiz and Sarah Gillespie were successful in their application for Erasmus Plus funding for their project. This work now forms part of the Riu d’art Open Air Galley.
Entitled ‘Qui Som?’ (Who are we?), it is situated at the entrance of the village on Avinguda de Riba-roja d’Ebre. The artwork presents the answer to the question in the title.
Taking inspiration from the nick name of the village residents ‘figots’ or ‘figs’, the mural shouts ‘Som Figots’ (We are figs) from the rooftops! The large scale illustrative work combines all 4 artists’ techniques. The symbols and illustrations are based on their experience in Riba-roja d’Ebre and the text reflects the cultural identity of the residents.
This collaborative artwork was created during an Erasmus+ funded residency of 32 days. Under-graduates and graduates from the UK worked with local inhabitants and association members taking inspiration from their experiences and exchanges after visiting cultural sites and local heritage, volunteering and creative workshops.
