KENDAL MUSEUM, STATION RD, KENDAL

CRY OF THE CURLEW
20 June to 17 August 2024

Cry of the Curlew celebrates the return of these iconic birds to upland habitats for the breeding season – as they have done since time immemorial. The arrival of these graceful birds quickens emotions in our hearts and minds. Their soul-stirring plaintive cries fill the air while they are with us, and we feel their absence when silently they depart. The exhibition explores the meanings we ascribe to having such beauty in our lives and in these times. It also explores what we shall lose of ourselves if or when these ground-nesting birds disappear forever from the sight and soundscape of our lives.

The beauty and fragility of Curlews is highlighted through the stunning photography of Paco Valera and insightful prose-poetry by Barbara Murray. Inspiring artwork is on display by Sally Zaranko, Hester Cox, Judith Bromley, and Robert Nicholls, alongside the wire sculptures of Stephanie Smith. Swedish artists Emily Berry Mennerdahl and Jonas Böttern of Hillside Projects present work symbolising ecological collapse. A video and soundscape by June Gersten-Roberts features interviews with farmers on sustainability, along with Alastair McIntosh’s poem, Extinction, set to the music of Loriana Pauli. A new work by Dr William Titley of In-Situ beautifully maps in watercolour, ‘The Curlew Way,’ as part of his Walking with Landscape project. A wonderful display by Curlew Recovery South Lakes will demonstrate the vital work they are doing to protect nests and support the delicate population of these beautiful birds, as well as sharing ways you can get involved.

Art competition

Have any budding artists in your midst? Our Cry of the Curlew Kids Art Competition is open until the 5th of July. Entrants will have their work displayed as part of the exhibition, and to be in with a chance of winning a prize!

This competition is open to all children who wish to participate, and there are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes up for grabs. Once you’ve finished your artwork, send it or bring it to Kendal Museum (Kendal Museum, Station Road, Kendal, LA9 6BT) with a full name and contact email on the back. The winners will be announced on 13th July on our social media and newsletter. Happy crafting! 

Key dates

Exhibition duration – Thursday 20th June – Saturday 17th August (every Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9am – 5pm)

Children’s art competition deadline – Friday 5th July, winners announced 13th July

Curlew activity day and talk from Curlew Recovery South Lakes – Saturday 6th July

Talk by Dr William Titley about his project Walking with Landscape: The Curlew Way – 27th July

Artist-in-residence – Sally Zaranko of Ashford Cottage Design will be resident in the gallery on the 6th July, 19th July and 8th of August sketching and chatting about her work to visitors.

Artists

Barbara Murray and Paco Valera www.thecryofthecurlew.com

Sally Zaranko www.ashfordcottagedesign.co.uk

Hester Cox https://www.hestercox.com

Judith Bromley and Robert Nicholls www.askrigg-studios.co.uk

Stephanie Smith www.wire-smith.co.uk

Emily Berry Mennerdahl and Jonas Böttern www.hillsideprojects.se

June Gersten-Roberts www.lunesdalearts.co.uk/june/bio.htm

Dr William Titley www.williamtitley.org

Alastair McIntosh www.alastairmcintosh.com

Loriana Pauli https://soundcloud.com/loriana-pauli

Susannah Bleakley Curlew Recovery South Lakes

WHAT VISITORS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Very well presented exhibition and a sobering reminder of what a tragedy it would be if we lost these birds from our local area. Paul D, 12/7/24              

Congratulations on a beautiful exhibition. The art works and poetry are so evocative and all the more so for the sound of the curlew playing as a backdrop. We are so appreciative now of all the hard work and dedication of the RSPB and volunteers to protect this beautiful bird and have been really happy to donate to the Just Giving page. Well done to all the children who contributed to the artwork – it’s all fabulous. Thank you for the excellent collection of cards and the beautiful book of verse and photographs so we can take a piece of the exhibition home. Austin. 

Beautiful exhibition! A lovely mix of artworks, poems and photos. We are very proud to be part of Curlew Recovery South Lakes and glad that this exhibition is encouraging people to think more about Curlew conservation.   The Taylor Family

Beautiful and haunting. A fine accompaniment to reading Patrick Laurie’s “Native”. Fay T, 18/7/24

Beautiful exhibition. The artworks helped me to emotionally connect to the need to protect the Curlews. Dianne Draper                                                                       

The bird that caught my attention at 14 years of age – cycling through the Dales, and has never left me – now 78. Great exhibition. Graham Fulford                                      

Thank you! What an exhibition” Moving and inspirational! We journeyed across the flat lands of Cambridgeshire to be here. Hills galore, and finally we arrived. It was beyond our expectations. Keep up the hard work! Love to you all. H Gill and family x

Very moving and beautiful. Thank you. Sarah and David

Wow this place is beautiful it was the best from Cameron William Smith 25/7/24

My Mum and Dad live in Ballycara Retirement Village, Queensland, Australia. I was there in January and filmed a pair of Curlew and their two babies who had chosen to live in the lovely gardens there. When I told them I was coming to this exhibition they sent a photo taken yesterday of the adults and chicks now almost grown up. They just wander the grounds. Let’s get this for the UK!

Brilliant Exhibition. We used to have Curlews visiting our farm near St Helens. Sadly no more. A timely reminder of the importance of protecting what we truly value.

Great exhibition – lovely art work full of passion and purpose. Thank you for raising awareness and interest in the Curlew and the beauty all around us.

A really interesting and informative exhibition – good to see the children involved.

So Important to keep the Curlew! Thanks! I’m happy you appreciate the curlews! So cute!

This is a fabulous exhibition i enjoyed drawing a Curlew.

Really good exhibition. Great to base an exhibition on one species from the taxidermy collection, and focus on a species under threat, making the collection relevant to today. 10/8/24

 I love this museum. I love how this exhibition is calm and relaxing and that you can draw your own bird

 J’adore le Curlew!

Wonderful exhibition. The preservation of our wildlife is very important. Especially the Curlew – my favourite bird. I hope Conservation continues and they are protected for future generations to enjoy. Shaun, Shropshire

I love birds. Joel

Thank you for holding this wonderful exhibition, I live on a farm in Shropshire and the Cry of the Curlew has been such an important sound in my life. I started attending Curlew Country meetings with my Dad and Grandad around age 14, regarding their Conservation and in 2021 and 2023 I was lucky enough to work as an Agriculturalist rearing and hatching Curlew chicks as part of our “Headstarting Project” . It was the most amazing experience getting to work so closely with something so close to my hear. Releasing them is always the hardest part and I miss them dearly. This exhibition gives me hope, knowing that so many people care and feel the same way my family and I do about our beautiful bird. If you like to check out our project: www.curlewcountry.org and there’s an instagram and facebook page, plus Curlew nest cam every spring! Thanks again and sorry for rambling. Love, Els.