Lost and Found is a UAL (University of the Arts London) 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.
Alongside the exhibition, we hosted a series of free weekly workshops and talks, open to all. These gatherings fostered dialogue and connection among communities, encouraging creativity, hands-on making, and collaborative expression.
Lost and Found has now concluded, we invite you to explore a beautiful collection of moments and highlights from the event below.
Opening
Photographer: Udbhav Naik (Instagram @udbhav_nayak )
Workshops
Lost & Found: Adinkra Symbol Printmaking Workshop
Friday, 11 October 2 – 4pm
UAL Space, Peckham Levels
Join us for an inspiring and creative printmaking workshop centered around the rich symbolism of Adinkra.
In this hands-on session, participants will explore the history and cultural significance of these West African symbols, which convey profound messages about wisdom, strength, and community. You’ll learn traditional and modern printmaking techniques to create your own Adinkra-inspired prints. As we create, we will also engage in storytelling, using the symbols to weave personal and collective narratives that might otherwise be lost to time. This workshop is not only about creating art, but also preserving cultural heritage through meaningful stories and symbols.
Workshop day
Photographer: Udbhav Naik (Instagram @udbhav_nayak )
Lost & Found: High Street Memories
Creative Collage and Video Mixing
Friday, 19 October 2 – 4pm
UAL Space, Peckham Levels
Join artist Daniel Oduntan in this interactive, drop-in workshop where participants of all ages are invited to explore their local High Street memories through creative collages and live video mixing.
Using transparent sheets, participants will create visual collages inspired by their personal experiences, words, or stories from their local High Street. These collages will be layered over video loops of the workshop space, bringing each participant’s memories to life in real time. This workshop offers a unique opportunity to share and reflect on how High Streets have shaped our communities.
Lost & Found: Reclaiming Afro Beauty (Afro hair workshop)
Friday, 25 October 2 – 4pm
UAL Space, Peckham Levels
Join Simone Williamson, Co- founder of Afrocks for an exciting and informative exploration of afro hair.
“It’s only hair, what’s the big deal?”
Join Simone Williamson, Co- founder of Afrocks for an exciting and informative exploration of afro hair. From discussions around afro hair myths to the rich history of afro styling, including the role afro hair styles played in the emancipation of enslaved Africans.
Together we will explore why afro is more than just hair and why celebrating it is not just a big deal but imperative in reclaiming our beauty and identity. This interactive session will provide a great opportunity for all to share their hair-story, create their own braid maps and take beautiful photos. For all afro lovers and novices alike. All are welcome. Get ready to learn, share and have some fun.
UAL Black History Month: Open Mic Night
Friday, 25 October 7.30 – 9.30pm
The Auditorium, Peckham Levels
Join us at UAL’s first Black History Month Open Mic event. Come along & spit bars, sing, read poetry or prose, improvise or just listen! All welcome.
UAL (University of the Arts London) invites you to our inaugural Black History Month Open Mic event, hosted by Kat Francois, BBC TV and World Poetry Slam Champion. at London’s Peckham Levels.Come along & spit bars, sing, read poetry or prose, improvise or just listen! There’ll be music to get you in your groove should you want to dance or freestlye to some instrumentals. Feel free to bring your backing tracks too.Enjoy a drink at the bar and grab some nibbles too.
Lost & Found: Three Kingdoms film screening and Q&A
Sunday, 27 October 3 – 5 pm
The Auditorium, Peckham Levels
Join us for an unmissable film screening event presented by Three Kingdoms, a collective of passionate filmmakers: Kaylen Francis, Judah Meade, and Anthony Ray Caballero.
They are all united by a common goal: to bring their unique visions to life through the power of storytelling. Each member of the group brings their own strengths and areas of expertise to the table, and together they create films that are greater than the sum of their parts. With a shared commitment to endless creativity and a deep love for the craft of filmmaking, whether exploring new genres, pushing the boundaries of technology, or telling stories that challenge our perceptions of the world around us, the collective’s films always leave a lasting impression. Join Three Kingdoms on their journey to bring their bold, innovative visions to the screen.
Lost & Found: Creative Clay Workshop – Shaping Dreams and Affirmations
Monday, 28 October 1 – 3 pm
UAL Space, Peckham Levels
Join us for a fun and inspiring workshop with Tanya Galia where we will shape our dreams and affirmations through creative clay art!
In this creative 2-hour workshop, children (ages 9–13) will explore self-expression through air-drying clay and positive affirmations. The children will reflect on their strengths, dreams, fears, and expectations, transforming their thoughts into empowering statements. They will choose a personal affirmation and use it as inspiration to design two unique clay tiles.
About the exhibition
Lost and Found is a UAL (University of the Arts London) 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. This exhibition was preceded by Portraits of Peckham in 2023.
Conceived by artist and UAL academic Sharon Bertram, Lost and Found is an extension of her practice, bringing together projects that she has worked on with local schools in Peckham. This exhibition and programme of events is an open invitation to all, serving as a starting point for exploring the concept of loss — be it through identity, knowledge, or history — and its connection to memory within the community of Peckham. Visitors are encouraged to consider how recovering elements of lost narratives can reveal new perspectives on our past, ourselves, and our communities.
As part of Lost and Found, we also reflect on the role of institutions like UAL, thinking of what may have been lost in education and what might be rediscovered. This year’s event will also once again involve local schools, emphasising the importance of connecting with the wider community of Camberwell and Peckham. Whilst Black History Month traditionally separates Black history from ‘general history’, we look forward to a future where Black history is naturally incorporated into everyone’s history.
Alongside the exhibition, we will be hosting a programme of free weekly workshops and talks every Friday. Stay tuned for updates on this page.
This project was developed in collaboration with the Public Engagement team at Camberwell Chelsea and Wimbledon Colleges of Arts, UAL and Peckham Levels with student participants from Harris Girls Academy East Dulwich, St Gabriels College and The National Saturday Club.
Event details
Location: UAL, Level 5/6,Peckham Levels,95A Rye Lane,SE15 4ST
Dates: 4– 31 October 2024, 11.00am –6.00pm (Open Wednesday – Saturday)
Contact: ccwpeckhamlevels@arts.ac.uk
Free, all welcome
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About UAL
University of the Arts London (UAL) offers an extensive range of courses in art, design, fashion, communication and performing arts. Our graduates go on to work in and shape the creative industries worldwide. UAL is ranked second in the world for Art and Design in the 2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject ®.
The University has a world-class reputation and is made up of 6 equally renowned Colleges and 5 institutes: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion, Wimbledon College of Arts, AKO Storytelling Institute, UAL Creative Computing Institute, UAL Decolonising Arts Institute and UAL Fashion, Textiles and Technology Institute. arts.ac.uk
About Camberwell College of Arts
Camberwell College of Arts, UAL is a renowned art and design college driving positive social impact through art and design. Its unique studio culture offers students the freedom and support to explore their individual creativity using facilities that embrace both traditional craftsmanship and digital technology. The College is passionate about social citizenship whilst maintaining the view that the arts must remain committed to the rewards of free inquiry and experimentation. Its students benefit from staff who take immense pride and care in guiding students in a journey of discovery helping them develop the critical thinking, making skills and social sensibilities that equip them to thrive both individually and in their communities.
Featured image of this page: Sweet Chariot, Peckham 2010 © Daniel Oduntan