Signals of Belonging
Sana Burney invites you all to contribute to a new commission for the town. Signals of Belonging will be part of the art weekend Lowe! in March 2027.
My name is Sana Burney, and I am an interdisciplinary artist and educator whose practice explores identity, belonging, and cultural connections through a range of visual and participatory approaches. I am currently developing Signals of Belonging, a public artwork commissioned as part of the LOWE! Art project in North Shields. Through this questionnaire, I hope to understand how people experience and express their sense of belonging to North Shields. Your memories, experiences, and associations will help inform a visual artwork. The questionnaire takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. Thank you for sharing your perspective.
What does North Shields mean to you?
Community questionnaire • Approximately 5 minutes • All questions optional
I am developing Signals of Belonging, a public artwork that explores how people experience belonging in North Shields. I would love to hear about the places, relationships, memories, feelings, words and images that connect you to the area. Your contributions will help inform a moving-image artwork using motifs, patterns and potentially short fragments of text.
You do not need to be a current resident to contribute. There are no right or wrong answers. Please share only what you feel comfortable sharing, and avoid naming other people or including private information.
1. What does North Shields mean to you?
You might think of a feeling, a relationship, a story, or something everyday.
2. What, if anything, makes you feel you belong in North Shields?
If you do not feel a sense of belonging, you are welcome to describe that too.
3. Is there a particular place in North Shields where you feel connected, at home, or especially aware of the area? Why?
For example, a street, building, view, shop, route, public space or waterfront.
4. Are there memories, people, traditions or everyday routines that shape your connection to North Shields?
Share as much or as little as you wish; please avoid identifying other individuals.
5. Which three words or short phrases would you use to describe your connection to North Shields?
These could be positive, complicated or mixed.
6. Are there colours, objects, textures, sounds, shapes or symbols you associate with North Shields?
These details may inspire visual motifs and moving patterns.
7. Has your sense of belonging to North Shields changed over time? If so, how?
This question is optional, especially for those newer to the area.
8. Is there anything else you would like to share?
Use of responses
Responses will inform the creative development of Signals of Belonging. Identifying details should not be included in the form. The artwork may interpret contributions visually rather than reproduce them directly.
May a short excerpt of your response be reproduced anonymously in the artwork or related project communications?
☐ Yes ☐ No
Please email responses to NSCulturalQuarter@northtyneside.gov.uk by Friday 20 November