Joanna Bourne

I had previously visited the Temple of Antenociticus in Benwell and was intrigued by its location, surrounded as it is by modern houses, looking cared for and valued by those living nearby.

When I started to prepare for my print, I spent time drawing the ruins themselves, but decided I wanted to show the temple situated in the closer and wider location, the houses nearby and the view across the valley which would have been familiar in Roman times. I wanted to give a feeling the passing of time in a location, things changing but staying the same. A house overlooking the site has the perfect view from the upstairs window – over the temple and across the valley.

I approached the residents and they very kindly allowed me to draw and photograph the view from their back bedroom. My print took shape from these drawings and photographs. I called the print ‘Under a Northern Sun’. It was sunny when I visited, the sun that shone on Roman worshippers visiting the temple still shines on local residents today. The little dog is a descendant of the Scottie Dog found at Chesters.