The Last Walk Home at Pickering Library, North Yorkshire: 7 Oct to 16 Nov 2021

Installing The Last Walk Home at Pickering Library

The Last Walk Home is the culmination of Carolyn Thompson's residency with Chrysalis Arts Development and North Yorkshire County Records Office as part of the Unfolding Origins project. The exhibition comprises a series of drawings and sound works based on research into the World War I Appeals Papers held at the Records Office.

Thompson performed six walks through Ryedale during Autumn 2020 and Spring 2021 to mark the anniversaries of the deaths of men from the area who fought and died during World War I. Each of these men had appealed against conscription, due to being exempt on the basis they made their living from the land, but were subsequently sent to war and did not return. The walks took the routes that would have led each man home from the nearest train station to their last place of residence. The drawings and sound works have been created from recordings collected during these walks.

Unfolding Origins is a collaboration between Chrysalis Arts Development and North Yorkshire County Records Office (NYCRO). It is funded by Ryedale, Selby and Richmondshire District Councils, ArtUK and Arts Council England.