Contemporary Elders sessions never cease to surprise me. The first time I attended a workshop I was anxious, “What if I can’t do it?” “What if I do it wrong?” I need not have worried.To be a Contemporary Elder you just need to turn up and take part. Oh yes, the “elder” part. You do need to be 60 years or older.
Today we learnt about Koinobori, the Japanese carp-shaped windsocks that are flown on Children’s day – May 5th. The workshop was led by Sue Lynas, who began her career as a computer graphics artist then realised her true passion was teaching and sharing creativity. The carp windsocks symbolise courage, strength and success. Yes! That is us, the members of Contemporary Elders. Brave, strong and successful and still here!
Sue had cut out the basic koi carp shape from paper retrieved from her loft. Then we rummaged through the assortment of craft materials to decorate our windsocks. Much cutting, positioning and pasting but very little chatter. Optional extras included fins and/ or streamers. Sue then showed us how to insert a strip of card to hold the mouth open before glueing the two halves together and pushing in the smallest amount of stuffing needed to give the windsock a little shape. Hung together in the Focal Point Gallery at our “S for Southend” show in January the shoal of fish will look amazing.
When I returned home I was still “buzzing” so I sat down and painted carp windsocks on gift cards.

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