Tim is renowned for his ‘Crowded Room’ portraits, which involve individuals leaving a permanent record of their presence on huge works of art – his portrait of Wisbech contained the images of more than 10,000 people. One of the integral aspects of these artworks is Tim’s personal engagement with every participant and his drive to make each person realise how important they are.  Tim’s work is focused on what makes us human and how we are fundamentally all the same. This is particularly important during these challenging times, when society seems more divided, individuals are feeling isolated and excluded and when our differences, perceived or otherwise, seem to alienate us from the wider community.  

The ‘You Are Important’ project, which was funded by Arts Council England and Fenland District Council, involved Tim and four other professional Artists creating works of art based on the concept of ‘You Are Important’. Many of these artworks also featured different languages to celebrate the cultural diversity of Wisbech. The works, which were created using a range of contemporary art practices, appeared in different locations across the Horsefair Shopping Centre and Wisbech town centre, providing a unique and positive experience for everyone who viewed them. In effect, the town centre itself became a vibrant and truly immersive living exhibition. Tim’s ambition was to make every person feel that they are important and this project saw Wisbech reinforce this message too.

You Are Important – Graphics

You Are Important – Butterfly

 

 You Are Important Flags

  We asked everyone to draw a ‘You Are Important’ graphic in their first language on one side of a card and on the other, a list of everyone who is important to them. It was also a recognition and celebration of the different cultures and languages within Wisbech with over twenty two different languages captured within the artwork.   

Adrian Barron Artist and Filmaker

Elisabeth Sennitt-Clough Poet

Dee Sowden Artist

Ronnie Goldfarb Photographic Artist

Media Links

Fenland Citizen November 8th 2021

Wisbech Standard 8th April 2022

Tim Mann would like to thank everyone that took part in this project, and the partners who exhibited the artworks which included: The Horsefair Shopping Centre, Loafers Cafe, Huges, Wisbech Town Council, the Works, Costas, Queen Mary Centre, Argos, Yorkshire Building Society, Boarder and Boundaries Tattoo.

You Are Important.