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UEL student facilitates art exhibition with Newham’s special needs residents to celebrate diversity and inclusion in the borough

Tuesday 20 April 2010

Newham Art Exhibition

This That One Another is a group art exhibition presenting the creative work of people in Newham with learning disabilities and mental health needs. The exhibition addresses issues of identity, inclusion and diversity and is the culmination of creative workshops run at the School of Architecture and the Visual Arts (AVA) at the University of East London.

The exhibition and associated workshops are facilitated by Mark Lawrence, who is currently completing his MA in Fine Art at UEL.

The individuals involved in creating the pieces on display at Building 1000, Newham Council’s HQ, from Wednesday 21 April, are all customers of Look Ahead Housing and Care’s Newham Supported Living Project (NSLP), a specialist outreach and supported accommodation service. NSLP was chosen to participate because of its progressive approach to support, arts involvement and in view of its position as a flagship service in the borough.

The purpose of the project has been to engage and include marginalised Newham residents in the creative process, to afford them the opportunity to express themselves, to represent their views publicly through a gallery space and to have their work shown in partnership with UEL.

To inspire their own work, residents involved visited the Tate Modern as well as The Wellcome Foundation's '8 Rooms, 9 Lives' exhibition which also deals with issues of identity.

There will be many varied artworks shown in film, photography, drawing and painting from NSLP contributors and from Mark Lawrence, himself.

Mark said: "I wanted to try and involve people who usually wouldn’t get the opportunity to participate in the artistic process, Look Ahead Housing & Care's Newham Supported Living Project (NSLP) were very open to this idea, and have a great awareness of the importance of artistic expression in the lives of their customers."

"The artwork that was produced shows a great level of skill from all involved, considering some of them had never picked up a paintbrush before. Everyone is excited at the prospect of seeing their work presented in Building 1000".

The exhibition will begin with a viewing open to the public on Wednesday 21 April 4.30-7pm, refreshments will be provided. It will then run until 5 May, entry is free within this period.

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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