History Tapestry
TOTTENHAM
TAPESTRIES
ABOUT HISTORY
TAPESTRY
Throughout our interviews and discussions with locals and business owners, many spoke about Tottenham’s history, sharing memories and stories. The piece celebrates those moments, big and small, binding together to make our present and future.
The artwork integrates totems from each story and memory. Inspired by traditional tapestries from the Americas and Africa that would record stories into fabric to be passed down, we have taken this concept and made it our own. We have: vegetables and fish to represent the produce markets, some who have been there for over a 100 years; the Tottenham cake; clouds to celebrate Luke Howard, namer of clouds from Bruce Grove; the Windrush Empire boat to honour migration into the community; and the tram which use to run on the High Road.
This is number two of five Tottenham Tapestries, a series of five audio-visual tapestries made by Pacha People in collaboration with Tottenham community members that weave together interviews collected on Tottenham High road. They include ‘Welcome’, ‘History’, ‘Tottenham Odyssey’, ‘Youth Culture’, and ‘Future’. They are conceived to be experienced in this order, but can also be stand alone experiences.
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There are five tapestries that make up the Tottenham Tapestries series. They are mounted indoors and outdoors at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre all at ground level. They are wheelchair accessible.
The whole trail will take you about 30-35 minute to walk and listen to. The tapestries have been conceived to be listened to in the following order, but they can also be experienced as stand alone art works.
Beginning in the lobby, ‘Welcome Tapestry’ celebrates Tottenham’s diverse community and bubbling culture. (Listening time 2:47)
‘History Tapestry’ is above the main entrance. It looks at how each step of history is bound together to make our present and future. (Listening time 4:25)
‘Tottenham Odyssey Tapestry’ is on a large stand on the edge of the courtyard. It draws on Greek friezes and storytelling to reflect on the community’s power, resilience and care in times of challenge. (Listening time 5:57)
Content Warning: Pandemic, riots, insolvency.
‘Youth Culture Tapestry’ is mounted on the box office. It is inspired by hieroglyphs, creates new symbols that communicate creativity, community and the power of the next generation. (Listening time 9:32) Content Warning: Youth struggles, community deprivation.
‘Future Tapestry’ is above the entrance to the studio, on the building facing the theatre building’s entrance. This tapestry holds the ideas and energy of what was shared from participants to inspire change. (Listening time 4:40) -
Tottenham Tapestries is a Pacha People production in partnership with Bernie Grant Arts Centre and Bruce Castle Museum. Supported by Hi! Culture and production generously supported by Build Hollywood.
Pacha People is an interdisciplinary arts company making art for social change. We create immersive artworks by and with local communities.
Community participants:
Ali
Bill, VIP Graffitti Paint Shop
Bulert Huseyin
Ediri
Esther Critchlow
Esther and Quentin
Felix, Ultrakolor
G. Bartling
Jim, Thomson Seafood
John Catling
Kate, The Garden House
Kiera, Cinnamon Leaf
Lewis, Cinnamon leaf
M. Brookstein
Peter Ainsley
Roselind Hunsel
Sylvia Brookstein
Vanessa Dee
Creative Team:
Lead Artist: Andrea Ling
Digital Artist: Akil Wilson
Production Print: Nick Walker
Build Hollywood Producer: Maria Guy
BGAC Concept Producers: Franklyn Sweeney & Bevali McKenzie
BGAC Producer: Darnell Shakespeare
Senior Producers: Build HollywoodWe’re immensely grateful to BUILDHOLLYWOOD and its team for supporting installation and Miranda Banfield from Jack Arts for keeping the flame alive.