An exchange of friendship with children in Essex and China The Mothership Project was a collaboration between Essex Book Festival and UK/Chinese charity The Mother’s Bridge of Love: Culture for Children, supported by Colchester Chinese Cultural Society, Essex Children’s University and Chelmsford City Council.
 

Mothers Bridge of Love organised for a group of Chinese children to make 1000 boats containing written messages to unknown mothers. With the help of volunteers, these were brought to the UK, and the Essex Book Festival.

All hand-made by Chinese children, the paper boats contain ‘secret messages’ to unknown mothers.

I was delighted to be commissioned to create installations in the Civic Theatre in Chelmsford with the 1,000 origami boats.

Three installations were proposed, utilising the stairwell, the glass display cabinets and the inside window space to the left as you entered the foyer.

The completed work was launched on 31st March, Mother's Day in the UK. MBL co-founder Xinran also visited to celebrate with Festival organisers and friends.

"These 1000 boats were transformed into a ’Mothership Installation’ by local artist Elaine Tribley at the Civic Theatre in Chelmsford. The Mothership really captured people’s attention, with many hoping the Installation could stay on for at least another month!"

Ros Green, Festival Director