Lost and the Left Behind: A Journey Through Memory, Legacy, and Art
Alnwick Story Fest may be over but the story continues....Don't miss the workshops, events and the exhibition celebrating the art and stories of Gillian Lee Smith.
Alnwick Story Fest may be over but the stories continue…
A new exhibition is taking Alnwick by storm at Bailiffgate Museum. The Lost and the Left Behind by artist Gillian Lee Smith explores the lost and found, connection and heritage, and the past and how it has shaped us.
Jean Humphrys, chair at Bailiffgate, said: “Gillian’s evocative work stirs memories in all of us that bring to life parts of our own stories that connect with her theme. In Bailiffgate, we believe that there are many ways to ‘tell’ a story, whether it be through art, words, music, or any other medium. We welcome work from talented local artists, musicians, and creatives who ‘tell’ stories in very different ways. Gillian’s carefully crafted work does this so very well.”
The Art of Remembering
For Gillian Lee Smith, art is an act of excavation, a way of unearthing stories, emotions, and connections that have been lost or overlooked. “I have always been drawn to stories—those told, those remembered, and those lost in the passage of time,” she says. “My journey as an artist has been shaped by an enduring fascination with history, nostalgia, and the deeply rooted connection between people and place.”
Her artistic practice began with a background in Performance Costume at Edinburgh College of Art, where she nurtured a love of history and storytelling. This led her to work as a reminiscence worker, helping individuals and communities share their life histories. “People would come in saying they had nothing of value to share, but with a simple prompt—an old song, a familiar scent, a treasured object—memories would unfold like forgotten treasures,” she recalls. “I came to see that the ordinary is, in fact, extraordinary.”
Boats as Memory Vessels
A recurring motif in Smith’s work is the boat—a symbol of passage, industry, and abandonment. “The vessels I paint resemble carcasses, ribcages exposed to the elements, stripped of function yet still carrying the weight of their histories,” she explains. “They are physical remnants of a life once lived, a trade once practiced, an identity once solidified by labor and purpose.”
This theme holds deep personal significance. Her great-grandfather, Harry, built intricate model ships, which became a link to a life she knew little about. “He served in both World Wars, worked as a miner, then a painter and decorator. His last unfinished boat, stored for decades in my father’s shed, is now part of my exhibition—an unintentional yet perfect representation of what is lost and what remains.”
Fading Portraits
Scattered throughout the exhibition are unframed ink portraits created with non-archival materials—ink and bleach. These images, fragile and fleeting, will fade over time. “They embody the transient nature of memory and history—how faces and stories blur with time, yet leave an indelible mark on our sense of self,” Smith says.
Her artistic process mirrors this impermanence. “I don’t feel like I apply paint—I excavate images,” she notes. “Much like an archaeologist uncovering remnants of the past, I dig through paint to reveal what has always been there.”
The Power of Nostalgia
Nostalgia plays a crucial role in Smith’s work. “I use this word a lot, but I didn’t fully understand what it meant until I read its definition: ‘a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one's life, to one’s home or homeland, or to one’s family and friends.’ That resonated deeply.”
For her, looking back is not just about longing but about honoring the past. “When we reflect on our histories—whether with fondness, love, or even anger—we are acknowledging that our past matters. And by extension, we matter. Our lives, our stories, our moments of joy and grief all have significance.”
Upcoming Events
To deepen this exploration of memory and place, Bailiffgate Museum is hosting a series of events:
Creative Writing Workshop: Finding the Lost and the Left Behind
Friday, March 14th, 3 PM – 5 PM (Workshop)
6:30 PM – 8 PM (Sharing Event)
This free workshop encourages participants to explore their personal connections to the past through storytelling. Spaces are limited, and booking is required via the Bailiffgate website.
Book HereExhibition Talk with Gillian Lee Smith
Thursday, March 27th, 6:30 PM
A discussion on her artistic process, themes of memory and nostalgia, and the inspiration behind The Lost and the Left Behind.
Reserve Your Spot
Legacy and Connection
Ultimately, Smith’s work is about connection—between people and places, past and present, memory and material. “The model ship my great-grandfather built will no longer sit forgotten in a shed; it now holds a place of honor in my home,” she says. “It’s a tangible reminder of where I come from and why I create.”
Her art is her legacy, just as his craftsmanship was his. “Through storytelling, through painting, through honoring what has been lost and what remains, I seek to bridge the gaps between past and future, between what we leave behind and what we carry forward.”
In the end, Smith believes, stories matter. “Our history matters. And by remembering, by sharing, by creating—we ensure that nothing is truly lost.”
