Kiosk – built entirely by hand by the artist is inspired by an archive photograph titled ‘E.D. Walker & Wilson’ that Adam discovered online dated from January 1955. It shows the full restoration of Middlesbrough Station, completed after the German bombing in 1940 and a newspaper kiosk that was originally sited at the station.
Historically, kiosks like this were integral to the daily lives of train commuters and travellers. They served as a focal point for information and conversation, providing newspapers, timetables, postcards and a range of necessities for short and long journeys. They often became landmarks, remembered fondly by those who frequented them.
For the Most Creative Station commission Adam has recreated and revived the kiosk, transforming it into a living artwork and printmaking space. Throughout Autumn/Winter 2024, it will showcase prints inspired by archival material and heritage stories about Middlesbrough Station. The artwork seeks to create a tribute to the kiosk and station and explores the role that historical research, artistic innovation, and public participation can play in the community’s collective memory – with the Kiosk as an evolving narrative.
Adam Shaw is a printmaker and painter. His creative practice, rooted in archival and media archaeology, seeks to challenge perspectives, creating a dynamic interplay between space and time. It focuses on deconstructing archival material to create new narratives and emotions.