STANDARDS: A Community Exhibition with Zigzag Days
Zig Zag community group, Photo by Kit Haig
A new temporary exhibition at the Roman Army Museum, created in collaboration with Zigzag Days, multidisciplinary artist Mani Kambo, and the Vindolanda Trust’s creative programme, The Land We Walk On.
Between April and July 2026, members of Zigzag Days took part in a series of artist-led workshops with Newcastle-based artist, Mani Kambo exploring their relationship to the landscape at Magna Roman Fort. Drawing on their personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences of this historic place, the group co-produced a body of contemporary artwork rooted in the site and its collection.
The resulting works are displayed alongside a selection of photographs by Kit Haigh. The exhibition explores identity and belonging at Magna Roman Fort. The artworks take inspiration from Roman military standards—flags that displayed a unit’s number, name, and a symbolic figure or animal.
"The relationship between making and location has been central to the work, with pieces created onsite, individually and in groups, in dialogue with the landscape where our final outcomes are activated." - Mani Kambo
This exhibition matters because it connects local communities with the long-obscured history of Magna Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall, strengthening relationships between heritage organizations and community groups. By blending contemporary art with ancient archaeology, the project creates markers of identity for the local community and demonstrates how art can activate historical landscapes, making heritage accessible and relevant to present-day audiences.
Kit Haigh ©
Kit Haigh ©
Kit Haigh ©
Kit Haigh ©
