At the beginning of 2023 we were approached by Matthew Rosier on behalf of Yarm Town Council who they had commissioned to help design and create an exhibition which would eventually take centre stage in Yarm Town Hall’s Heritage Centre.

Matthew is an award winning London based artist who’s work mixes technology with film and sound in the form of interactive and immersive installations in the public realm. His practice, Mediale, is collaborative and includes the surrounding community both in the creation process and the finished work.

After several delays, the newly refurbished Grade II listed town hall incorporating the Heritage Centre finally opened its doors at the beginning of 2024. It showcases a permanent exhibition entitled ‘Island in a River’ inspired by the history of one of the most outstanding scenic towns in the region and celebrating Yarm’s ancient connection to the River Tees and it’s position on the horseshoe bend of the river.

The exhibition includes a selection of historic artefacts; Matthew worked closely with the True Lovers Walk volunteers and local residents to create a series of short films which accompany the exhibits honouring the town’s historic relationship with the river, the objects and the memories that have flowed from it.

However, the centrepiece of the exhibition is a replica Iron Age canoe which was carved by the True Lovers Walk volunteers from a washed-up tree and inspired by a prehistoric canoe found and lost 150 years ago, thought to be the earliest sign of life in the town. At night, the exhibition transforms into a public art installation, visible through the windows of the building, with the canoe seeming to float on a projected looping holographic film of the River Tees, referring to the numerous floods which have submerged Yarm High Street over the years.

Throughout a period of many, many months the replica canoe was carved by a dedicated team belonging to the True Lovers Walk volunteers lead by Anthony T Aherne who kindly provided, not only the work space within his own garden, but also the carpentry skills and equipment needed to re-create this impressive exhibition feature.

Hats off to this team who worked tirelessly to successfully complete such a daunting task. It is immensely rewarding to appreciate and recognise how much their work is so integral to the success of Yarm’s wonderful Heritage Centre.