We were lucky to have visual artist, Na Qiruoxuan, within our Story Makers group. Na has drawn inspiration from Dragon Hall’s contemporary identity as a Literature House to create a book that tells its story. Na’s Book of Dragon Hall reimagines its origins as a merchant trading centre through a series of creative interpretations using recycled materials, ink and felt.
Can you spot the Nine of Diamonds? Inspired by information included in the iconic red book written by the Dragon Hall Heritage Volunteers, Na brings to life the significance of the River Wensum and the imagery of the dragon through a series of pop-up pages and pull-tabs, designed and crafted by herself.
This beautiful book is bound with foam and woven with colourful pieces of felt. Readers are first greeted by the filigree pattern found on the dragon’s tail, and then her resplendent green wings. She reappears through the iconic ogee arches amidst the hustle and bustle of wealthy visitors to Robert Toppes’ hall.
Sail the little wherry boat along the river and turn the page, where you’ll find a birds-eye view of what Toppes’ site would have looked like in medieval times, using the base of a Cadbury’s Chocolate Fingers box. What do you think Robert Toppes would have made of that?
A Tapestry of Tales
Who lived at Dragon Hall? What have these old walls witnessed? Whose story hasn’t yet been told? These are the questions that formed the foundation of a project undertaken by the Story Makers, a group of a participants that generously gave their time and skills to discover, share and celebrate Dragon Hall’s heritage.
Combining historical research and creative practice, the Story Makers spent ten sessions engaging with Dragon Hall and the surrounding King Street area in a variety of ways, before using their creative skills to produce personal interpretations of the history they uncovered.
From poems to pamphlets, videos to pop-up books, we invite you to explore their work in our digital collection.
Stepping into Dragon Hall is made possible by Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Norwich Freemen’s Charity and Wolfson Foundation.
