Oral History Installation
Wellingborough Stories: Bringing Untold Histories to Life
Commissioned by Made with Many , Shop at The Swansgate Shopping Centre
The exhibition was developed in collaboration with local residents in sessions at Wellingborough Library, where they shared stories, photos, and mementos of Wellingborough. Additionally, creative felting and sculpting sessions at the Wellingborough African Caribbean Association helped transform these ideas into three-dimensional forms, bringing the community’s stories to life.
Wellingborough Stories is a community heritage project that brought to life untold stories from the town’s diverse communities through collaborative artworks. More than 600 people contributed their stories through interviews and creative workshops. Among the three commissioned artists, Makers of Imaginary Worlds created ‘Stories from Home’ a new work specifically for the festival.
The three commissioned pieces, alongside past Wellingborough story projects, were showcased during the Wellingborough Stories Festival (May 12–28, 2023). The project reached 18,945 audience members, with 961 participants actively involved and hundreds more engaging with the content online.
Image on the right © Michal Spišiak
The objects used in this experience are directly inspired by the stories collected from the community, creating a deeply personal and immersive way to engage with the narratives. Each object serves as a storytelling trigger, allowing visitors to connect with the past through digital sensory interaction.
The Red Armchair
Sitting on the chair activates the first story, symbolising the act of pausing and reflecting, much like one would when reminiscing about the past
Touching the flowers on the photo frame brings the third story to life, representing memories blooming and the connections between people, places, and traditions.
Stirring a spoon in the teacup triggers the second story, evoking the warmth of shared conversations over tea and the everyday moments that shape our lives.
These interactive elements transform storytelling into a multi-sensory experience, inviting visitors to engage with history in a way that is both tactile and meaningful.
The Tree
The table explores personal experiences of Wellingborough’s green landscapes, highlighting both cherished memories and current environmental concerns, including the importance of tree conservation. Visitors can engage with these stories by touching conductive threads embedded in felted objects on the table, which activate audio narratives. This interactive feature encourages reflection on the community’s relationship with nature and the need for preservation.
Twin Chairs
Taking a seat in either chair activates stories that explore themes of family, friendship, and conflict, reflecting the complexities of human relationships. These twin chairs symbolise the shared experiences, tensions, and resolutions that shape personal connections over time.
Each story reveals different perspectives—some highlighting the warmth and support of loved ones, while others delve into challenges, disagreements, and personal growth. By sitting in the chairs, visitors are invited to step into these narratives, reflecting on their own experiences of relationships, communication, and reconciliation.
The interactive design encourages empathy and connection, making the storytelling experience both personal and thought-provoking.
The Story Corner
Taking a seat in the interactive storytelling chair activates audio recordings of local residents sharing childhood memories, offering a glimpse into their personal experiences of growing up in Wellingborough. To fully immerse themselves in these stories, visitors can also lie down on nearby cushions,
creating a relaxed and reflective space for deep listening.
During the Wellingborough Stories Festival, this area transformed into a live storytelling hub, where local storytellerscaptivated audiences with spoken-word performances, folktales, and personal narratives.
Tell us where do you feel at home?
This dynamic space and activies encouraged both active participation and quiet contemplation, allowing visitors to engage with the rich history and diverse voices of the community in a meaningful way.