Drawing Inside Out opens on 14 November at the Wolfson Takeover Space at London College of Fashion, UAL’s East Bank campus, as part of the LCF After Dark event. This new exhibition showcases ourcollaborative drawing initiative with women from the local community in Poplar and the vicinity of East Bank, together with BA(Hons) Fashion Imaging and Illustration students, Making for Change, Portal Centre for Social Impact, and The Line. The exhibition reflects on the power of drawing to enhance well-being through the creation of the narratives explored together through two years of community projects.
‘Drawing Inside Out’ was conceived by Charlotte Hodes, Professor of Fine Art at LCF, out of an existing relationship with The Line, an art and cultural walk bringing together sculptures in East London with new commissions and loans. After finding out LCF were moving to a new campus in East Bank, Charlotte initiated the project which has now been running for two years, working closely with Anna Millhouse, Head of Cultural Partnerships at LCF. Making for Change and the Portal Centre for Social Impact have been instrumental in the management and oversight of the programme, which to date has been supported by UAL’s Knowledge Exchange Impact Fund.
Eight students from BA (Hons) Fashion Imaging and Illustration, led by Course Leader Alex Mein, worked with lead academic, Charlotte Hodes together with Lecturer, Kate Greenslade and Isher Dhiman, Associate Lecturer at LCF, to develop and deliver community drawing workshops over the course of a few weeks with a group of 15-20 participants. The LCF students were selected for their commitment to drawing as a means of visual communication, and desire for professional experience in community collaboration, and were trained in interview technique, equality, diversity and cultural sensitivities before delivering the workshops.
The third year students collaborated with the participants to explore the restorative impact of drawing, making and talking about their ideas and creations.
The workshops also included a walking tour along The Line, a local art walk, exploring how contact with nature and art can improve wellbeing.
At the heart of the project were conversations around worn and owned garments, serving as the focus for narrative drawings, posters, and collages. The drawings displayed at the Wolfson Takeover Space are the result of this collective effort, merging individual creations into powerful shared artworks.
Inspired by the public art installations and nature along The Line, the project also highlights how art and nature contribute to well-being, making this exhibition a celebration of creativity, community, and collaboration.
On 14 November, students and community participants will come together to celebrate the launch of this exhibition and LCF’s After Dark event, happening on the same night, will explore the connections between textiles and wellbeing with free creative workshops, wellbeing activities and performances. Visitors can drop in to knitting workshops, give new life to well-loved clothes at the Repair Cafe, take part in mindful art and meditation sessions, and enjoy a live harpist, dance performances, and free cupcakes and drinks throughout the evening.
The Drawing Inside Out exhibition is open from 4-22 November in the Wolfson Studio at LCF’s East Bank Campus and is free and open to all. The drawings are also currently being displayed in The Line as part of Helen Cammock’s project On WindTides.