This exhibition delves into the often-overlooked stories of working- and lower-class history and culture from the Middle Ages to the present day. Central to the narrative is the transformative aftermath of the Black Death (1348–1351), which marked the end of medieval rural life and paved the way for the early modern urban era. This shift brought both empowerment and oppression: lower-class mobility and freedoms were countered by strict vagrancy laws, public punishment, and land enclosure. The era also saw the witch hunts, targeting women and reproduction, and the horrors of the Atlantic slave trade.

​

At the same time, a rich and distinct lower-class culture began to flourish, expressed through fairs, festivals, charivari, chapbooks, and taverns. The exhibition also shines a spotlight on Ayrshire’s lesser-known history, including the lives of servants, smugglers, and forgotten local figures, weaving these stories into a broader tapestry of resilience and resistance.

​

​Artists Stuart Murphy and Rebecca Scott will base their six-week residency at the Make studio, transforming the space into a hub for talks, workshops, and collaborative research. Visitors are invited to join the conversation, observe the creative process, and explore the under-documented aspects of Ayrshire’s working-class history. All events are offered on a sliding-scale basis to ensure accessibility for everyone.

MAKE by Narture Studios 30 Newmarket St