The Secret Life of Cumbria is a book written by the people of Cumbria. A collection of stories about escape, love, grief, and favourite T-shirts!

Anyone who lived, worked in or visited Cumbria in 2008 could write their own pages by sending a text message or visiting this web site. The pages of the book are all collected here.

Cumbria is a big place, both in the world and in our imaginations, with as many paths through it as there are people who live in or visit it. You can read Cumbria's Secret Life by finding your own way through this site, moving from place to place.

Do you sleep in after the alarm goes off? Cross dress on Sundays? Smoke Gauloises and think of France? How do Cumbrians living in the holiday capital of England escape from it all? This project creates a drawn archive made from people on the streets answering the question “What is your method of escape?” I’m seeking serious, whimsical and irrational methods. How do Cumbrians escape the tourists, overcome fears for the local environment, run away from political fears, or simply escape from a nagging husband and a sink full of dishes? I plan to illustrate each method of escape as an iconographic image, reminiscent of 1950’s instructional booklets, commercial logos and how-to books. Each will be exhibited in public spaces: on billboards, public transport, beer mats and small posters outside shops. Each Method of Escape becomes a suggestion, a conversation starter, instructions to the general public. I’m interested in cataloging responses that reflect the community. How do Cumbrians escape from the harsh realities of their everyday life? - Dee Hibbert-Jones (US artist)

Messages

What is your method of escape?

I set off a rocket and imagine I'm in it or watch for a satellite and imagine the same. X Jan
8th Oct 2008

Hi Dee, Great to meet you at FRED. As mentioned my method of escape is to pull on my wellies with my son and go slashing in the puddles
3rd Oct 2008

live when others don't , get up early and use the light Chris x
9th Jul 2008

sit on the loo and read a good book until your legs go numb.
7th Jul 2008

I hammer at a keyboard, battering my way into other worlds.
7th Jul 2008

..my duvet, my illustrated copy of Grimms fairy tales, a torch and i climb into my wardrobe to pass a dark hour
7th Jul 2008

i go into the woods, remove my clothing, sit in a stream, light a cigarette, close my eyes and listen.
7th Jul 2008

letting myself be held and kissed by a man there's no future with.
7th Jul 2008

I sit daily at the hen house door in the company of 5 ugly birds, connecting with their presence. They stand only comfortabley close, false affection from knowing the moment has come when I wil dig the fork into their ploughd earth. I witnes the ensu
7th Jul 2008

Stay inside to avoid the tourists
4th Jul 2008