I go feelingly into my relationship with the spacious Library at Bower Ashton Campus. What I love about the library (as well as the books and resources) is the large windows, the light, atmosphere and view of trees on the edge of Ashton Court Estate.

The Other-than-Human beings who surround the library offer a context in terms of a community of plants and trees. They’re outside looking in at the people in the library with whom they exchange carbon dioxide and oxygen, but perhaps thoughts and sensations.

Do my thoughts in the library, turning pages made from the bodies of the tree’s relations ‘affect the trees, as looking and feeling the trees affects me?’ (Abram, 1997).
The prints in this vitrine have evolved from my research into the history of libraries and an awareness of the energetic field of ideas, human and other-than-human presences that make up this dynamic space.

I see books like seeds: ideas or DNA from the past, planted in the fertile soil of an enquiring mind growing into new ideas and forms.

The Libraries Act of 1850
William Ewart (1798-1869) parliamentarian, philanthropist and social reformer, was responsible for the Public Libraries Act. Before the 1850 Act libraries were in private collections and not accessible to the public.

The impetus behind the early free library movement was the education and improvement of the working-classes, in which Temperance played a part. It formed part of the liberal-driven body of reforming legislation which characterised much of the state agenda during the second half of the 19th century.

Campaigners felt that encouraging the lower classes to spend their free time on morally uplifting activities, such as reading, would promote greater social good.

William Ewart also developed the Blue Commemorative Plaque
In 1863, Ewart conceived the idea of a blue plaque to commemorate a link between a location and a famous person or event, serving as a historical marker. It is the oldest such scheme in the world.’

My idea was to combine the 175th anniversary of the 1850’s Public Library Act, which served to bring information and education into the hands and minds of ordinary people, with William Ewart’s invention of the Blue Plaque.

At UWE Bower Ashton, influenced by the work of David Abram in particular, I’ve chosen to commemorate the ordinary, the other-than-human and fleeting feelings experienced during my time here, creating commemorative plaques from a Tetra Pak matrix. These works celebrate moments at the intersection of time, space and sensation.

To see more of Ali Woozley’s work, see her Instagram page.

Visitor information:

This exhibition is open to the public Monday – Friday 9am-5pm. No booking needed. The library is on the first floor of B block.

The nearest car parking for visiting UWE Bower Ashton campus is – public parking meters on main road or at Ashton Court.

For more information on Bower Ashton Library, visitor access and campus map, see the library website.

UWE Bristol, City Campus at Bower Ashton, Kennel Lodge Road, Bristol BS3 2JT.