Time. Art.
Big concepts, but also the universal threads that run through our lives.
The alarm in the morning, the drop-off and pick-up at school, the length of a ship’s deployment.
The book we relax with, the drama, soap or comedy we enjoy on TV, a striking image on Instagram.
We are so immersed in time and art we can easily overlook them in our day-to-day existence.
But your time is valuable, and if you stop for a moment (time!) you might reflect that your time seems to pass quicker than someone else’s. You are always rushing to keep up with your busy schedule while your sailor or Marine is away.
Or maybe the hours stretch out, waiting to be filled, and days crawl by as you wait for someone to return home.
You might doodle while you daydream. Capture a picture on your phone of a dramatic sunset. Pour out your heart in a diary entry. It’s all expressive; it’s all art.
And we would love to gather those thoughts, feelings, doodles, whatever, and create a large-scale work of art that reflects the lives of Royal Navy and Royal Marines families.
The Naval Families Federation has joined with artist Tim Mann to launch a project funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Called Time, On My Watch, the project focuses on the concept of time as we think it has different meanings for serving personnel and families. This is an opportunity for you to show that your time is valuable and that you matter too.
It is a chance to take a moment and realise that you can put yourself first, to reflect on how you feel and to let other people know. You can say what you like, in whatever medium you like, and maybe find that the honesty of the exercise brings some form of release.
Express yourself in a poem, a drawing, a painting, a photograph, a sculpture, a doodle, some craft work, or that diary entry.
Once you’ve finished, all you need to do is send a photograph of it to us. We’re working in this way because we want to make sure that everyone can take part, whatever current restrictions are in place regarding social distancing and lockdowns. By sending us your image via our website, you can participate from the comfort of your own home or ship.
You don’t have to be a Rembrandt, a Shakespeare or a Pepys – and the elements of the final work of art created by Tim will remain anonymous.
Your work will form part of an exhibition that will either be live, virtual or in the form of a printed book.
The project is exclusively for Royal Navy/ Royal Marines serving personnel and their families.
For further details of how to be part of this exciting initiative, see nff.org.uk/timeonmywatch
