SHAPESLewisham talks was a programme of conversations amongst the creative community of Lewisham devised in response to the coronavirus outbreak. In a series of conversations throughout April, creatives from Lewisham came together via video conferencing to explore the themes of uncertainty, restriction, resilience and reflection within creative practices.
The project evolved from my role as the ‘SHAPESLewisham Creative Enterprise Zone engagement coordinator’ and was conceived following more than a year of immersive engagement across the Borough. The conversations built upon a meaningful, pre-existing dialogue and aimed to continue to create and sustain supportive connections from within the creative community during a time of isolation and disconnect. The conversations were devised to explore the intersection of different creative disciplines and practices during the shared experience of the coronavirus outbreak.
Each conversation touched upon the nature of the programmed themes: resilience; uncertainty; restriction and reflection within creative practices, to explore what could be learnt through and from creative processes, about approaching and responding to the challenges we currently face. We heard from practitioners, projects and businesses in the fields of curation, photography, pattern cutting, conceptual art, music, leather design, choreography, architecture and many more. In each conversation, spontaneous and unexpected connections and collaborations were made as those traditionally separated by discipline are aligned in other ways, through their process, perspectives and experience of the coronavirus crisis.
I co-ordinated and facilitated the four conversations over a period of a month and since the project, members of the community have continued to arrange conversations amongst themselves, maintaining their connection and strengthening their bond.
SHAPESLewisham talks resilience and creative practice
SHAPESLewisham speaks with the creative network about resilience and what it means to be resilient as a creative in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
In conversation with eight local practitioners from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines and practices, SHAPESLewisham hears individual stories of resilience from within the creative community and explores the challenges they face. The conversation touches upon resilience as a theme more broadly within creative practices and how it plays a role in the production and evolution of projects.
SHAPESLewisham speaks with the creative network about resilience and what it means to be resilient as a creative in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
In conversation with eight local practitioners from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines and practices, SHAPESLewisham hears individual stories of resilience from within the creative community and explores the challenges they face. The conversation touches upon resilience as a theme more broadly within creative practices and how it plays a role in the production and evolution of projects.
SHAPESLewisham talks uncertainty and creative practice
SHAPESLewisham speaks with the creative network about the role of ‘uncertainty’ within the creative process, looking specifically at the coronavirus outbreak and the effect of current global uncertainty on the creative industry.
In conversation with eight local practitioners from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines and practices, SHAPESLewisham hears individual perspectives on the role of uncertainty within the creative process and its impact on the evolution and production of work.
SHAPESLewisham speaks with the creative network about the role of ‘uncertainty’ within the creative process, looking specifically at the coronavirus outbreak and the effect of current global uncertainty on the creative industry.
In conversation with eight local practitioners from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines and practices, SHAPESLewisham hears individual perspectives on the role of uncertainty within the creative process and its impact on the evolution and production of work.
SHAPESLewisham talks restriction and creative practice
SHAPESLewisham speaks with the creative network about the nature of restriction within creative practices, in response to the coronavirus crisis.
In conversation with local practitioners from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines and practices, SHAPESLewisham hears individual stories of restriction from within the creative community and explores the role it plays in the creative process. Together we explored the connection between ideas of restriction and creativity to ask - what can be learnt, through our creative practice, about approaching and responding to restrictions? And what insights can we collectively offer to others?
SHAPESLewisham speaks with the creative network about the nature of restriction within creative practices, in response to the coronavirus crisis.
In conversation with local practitioners from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines and practices, SHAPESLewisham hears individual stories of restriction from within the creative community and explores the role it plays in the creative process. Together we explored the connection between ideas of restriction and creativity to ask - what can be learnt, through our creative practice, about approaching and responding to restrictions? And what insights can we collectively offer to others?
SHAPESLewisham talks reflection and creative practice
SHAPESLewisham speaks with the creative network about the nature of reflection within creative practices, in response to the coronavirus crisis.
In conversation with local practitioners from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines and practices, SHAPESLewisham hears individual stories of reflection from within the creative community and explores the role it plays in the creative process. Together we shared some of our recent experiences of reflection amid the coronavirus outbreak and explored how creative practice can act as a vehicle for reflection.
SHAPESLewisham speaks with the creative network about the nature of reflection within creative practices, in response to the coronavirus crisis.
In conversation with local practitioners from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines and practices, SHAPESLewisham hears individual stories of reflection from within the creative community and explores the role it plays in the creative process. Together we shared some of our recent experiences of reflection amid the coronavirus outbreak and explored how creative practice can act as a vehicle for reflection.
Thankyou to those who took part! Iris Athanasiadi - architect, choreographer & performer, Nathalie Boobis - Curator and Director of Deptford X, Shereener Browne - actress and founder of Orisun Productions, Cal Byrne - Teacher & Artist, Hannah Cushion - artist & arts educator, Oggie Ekaragha - musician, singer & songwriter, Laura Hepworth - conceptual artist, Andrew Kerr - artist & educator, Rob Key - designer & founder of Studio Change, Kat Lopez - creative director of Sation, Levi LVTS - musician & poet, Kayleigh Marshall - artist & maker, Francesca Mcgourty - founder of The Pattern Room, Yusuf Osman - leather designer, silk performer & founder of YUSSICO, Jason Page - founder of South East Salon, Joost Pasman - leather designer & founder of Pasman Leather, Zoe Powell - Textile Artist & Material Researcher, Brenda Rattray - Vocal Coach, Performer & Composer, Alex Stone - Photography & Sculpture Artist, Martina Trlik - Photographer & Producer, Abbie Vickress - graphic designer, researcher & lecturer.