Portraits of Peckham: A Black History Month Exhibition – Peckham Levels Event and Exhibition Space

Relevant resource: Why the world needs creativity: A case study of the Portraits of Peckham exhibition, written by Tanya Campbell Communications Executive (Change ＆ Projects)

PORTRAITS OF PECKHAM is a UAL (University of the Arts) exhibition based at Peckham Levels during Black History Month, that seeks to provide space for the often unseen stories, narratives and histories from the local community of Peckham.

Conceived by artist and UAL academic Sharon Bertram, the show is an extension of her practice, bringing together projects she has worked on with local schools in Peckham. The projects encourage a sense of belonging and a need for visibility, exploring individual identities through portraiture, and in this instance, working with ceramics.

Throughout the month of October, we invite you to visit and spend time in the space, view some of these projects, and add your memories, thoughts and portraits to an ever-growing display over the course of the exhibition. Alongside this, we will be hosting a programme of free weekly workshops and talks every Friday.

Developed in collaboration with the Public Engagement team at Camberwell Chelsea and Wimbledon Colleges, UAL and Peckham Levels with student participants from Harris Girls Academy East Dulwich, St Gabriels College and The National Saturday Club.

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WORKSHOPS

Using photography to create meaningful portraits this Black History Month

Join a free photographic workshop led by India Mae Alby, a photographer who loves life and finds inspiration in her African-Asian heritage, her Blackness, and the Black community which has long made London and the UK so electric. For India, Black culture is best celebrated through the lens of a camera. Using India’s practice and inspirations as a basis for the workshop, participants will be asked to collectively think about and discuss the images that inspire them, before using these thoughts to create and capture their own.

Each participant will be able to receive digital files of their work, and their polaroid images will be exhibited at Peckham Levels as part of the exhibition Portraits of Peckham, for the rest of October.

Beading workshop

Discover the art of upcycling through a fun, creative paper bead-making workshop that is also eco-friendly. Led by Amal Aliyu, learn how to transform scrap and textured paper into stunning beads and explore various techniques, including layering, warping with text, incorporating written word and experimenting with bead shapes and sizes. You’ll be encouraged to select patterns, prints, or drawings, which will serve as templates for rolling into these unique paper beads, which will then be transformed into usable accessories such as bracelets and phone charms.

Portrait Drawing Workshop

Join a relaxed and informal portrait drawing workshop, led by Tanya Galia and Mario De Napoli, which will encourage you to live draw and experiment with different techniques. Using a series of suggested questions to help to personalise your portraits, you’ll create a booklet of your portraits that you’ll be able to take away with you after the workshop. This is also a great way to meet someone new and connect over your drawings!