Youth Culture Tapestry

TOTTENHAM
TAPESTRIES

ABOUT YOUTH CULTURE TAPESTRY

Throughout our interviews we touched frequently on the themes of culture and what locals wanted improved in their area. One reoccurring answer was the need to support young people and teenagers through artistic projects. We spoke with community leaders, youth practitioners and business owners who all spoke passionately about the need to support our youth. It became clear that it was important young people had their own bespoke piece to honour the stories, wishes and issues facing them. The piece is also a tribute to the creativity, from musicians to graffiti artists, that have come from Tottenham and the power of art to heal.

The piece is inspired by Egyptian hieroglyphs, creating new symbols that communicate creativity, community and the power of the next generation.

This is number four 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.

  • 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 Hollywood

    We’re immensely grateful to BUILDHOLLYWOOD and its team for supporting installation and Miranda Banfield from Jack Arts for keeping the flame alive.