‘Against the Grain’ is a multimedia digital project exploring the friendship between Thomas Bewick and Thomas Spence who met in 18^th Century Newcastle. The project considers both men as innovative artists – one whose legacy was protected, the other whose ideas were obliterated. Ruth’s project invites audiences to refresh their image of Bewick as a political animal and discover the obscured figure of Spence, an essential and provocative voice from our past, with currency in our present.

The project is presented in four complementary parts: an audio essay (researched and narrated by Ewan); illustrated sleeve notes, featuring a timeline of the two men’s lives; a new recording of a song written as a tribute to Thomas Spence; and a specially designed poster featuring a quote from one of Spence’s texts ‘Sing and meet and meet and sing and your chains will drop off like burnt thread’.

Go to Ruth’s ‘Against the Grain’ webpage to view and listen to this work.

‘Against the Grain’ credits:

‘Thomas Spence’ – song by Ed Pickford, rearranged and performed by Ross Downes, vocals Keeley Forsyth

‘Against the Grain’ – an audio essay written by Ruth Ewan featuring readings by Keeley Forsyth alongside extracts of interviews with Alastair Bonnett, Hamish Ewan Griffiths, Órla Fennessy, Rachel Hammersley, Norma Meers, Shamira Turner, and an audio extract by Bob Browell courtesy of the Bewick Society.

Sound design and editing - Ross Downes

Poster – Ruth Ewan based on work by Thomas Spence

Design and typography – Krusonian typeface and sleeve notes by Imogen Ayres

Digital design - Romulus Studio.

‘Against the Grain’ was commissioned by Newcastle University and the National Trust working in partnership with the Bewick Society. © Ruth Ewan 2024.