Tracing the threads of east London's history: A journey through 'Designed for Life' exhibition at LCF's East Bank campus
- Written byLubna Hussain
- Published date 21 December 2023
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As I’m sat here on the 13th floor of LCF’s East Bank Campus gazing out the window, I find myself captivated by the rich tapestry of history that unfolds before me. Deep in this pensive state, it takes me far back, long before my own birth in the bustling metropolis of east London.
As my eyes drift towards the waterfront adjacent to the campus entrance, I am greeted by a picturesque view of the canal. The tranquil, yet murky waters wind their way through the veins of London. Today, the river and canals are a magnet for tourists, but they were once the lifeblood of the city, serving as the primary hub for the import and export trade that brought in raw materials, spices, rubber, and a myriad of other products, including printing ink and coal tar distilleries. It's these very docks that played a pivotal role in shaping the London we know today.
A ten-minute walk away from the East Bank campus lies Fish Island, nestled between the boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Hackney, in the northern outskirts of Newham. This area was home to old factories that once hummed with the activity of dyeing, dry cleaning, silk and shoemaking, and the production of waterproof clothing amongst other things. In the western reaches of Wick Lane, wholesale clothing manufacturers occupied the landscape, with one of the few surviving 19th-century clothing factories in Tower Hamlets standing as a testament to the area's industrial heritage. A five-minute stroll will lead you to the remnants of the MK Carlton shoe factory. The towering chimney, standing as a historical monument since its establishment in 1893, now graces Roach Road by the copper-toned metal footbridge playing an architectural homage that connects Fish Island to the Olympic Park.
Now, the surrounding area of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park scripts a new chapter in its legacy. The year 2012 accompanied in a wave of newcomers and development, breathing new life into its local communities. It wasn't just about an influx of people; it was about the infusion of fresh opportunities. New jobs, educational institutions, and innovative creative spaces emerged, enriching the lives of the local population, and marking a triumph for the community.
Today, the 'Designed for Life' exhibition at London College of Fashion provides a captivating insight into the diverse narratives that have shaped east London's vibrant culture. Cultural producer Dr Leila Nassereldein, an east London resident, led this collaborative effort with locals Omolara Obanishola, Anh Tran, Dave Sohanpal and Pallavi Chamarty. Together, they curated work in celebrating the area's rich history of migration, highlighted in the immersive 'Living Room' project, which offers a journey through a three-generation family home in Leyton, along with their tenant delving into the essence of contemporary life.
Following insightful discussions with the Community Curators unveiling the intricacies behind the scenes, Omolara Obanishola speaks on the concept of “home” in east London and how it influenced her approach when curating the exhibition with her peers.
“The installation brought together so many elements of my research interests. Specifically, my research which looks into fashion, style and the influence of music within the Black British community around the 1970s. And so, during the initiating time of the project, I envisioned ‘home’ as a central space that reflects expressions of self and identity. The living room installation however is universal as it resonates with people across the board, and I think through the programming on the TV, the choice of records that people can come in and play and the attention to detail we gave through the objects, promotes that feeling.”
Anh Tran further emphasises the importance of inclusivity when shaping the narrative of the diverse cultural heritage
“It was very important to include as many cultures as possible in the narrative as Stratford is so diverse and we did that by creating a fictional family which represents east London. We shaped each family member by using objects to represent them which are scattered around the living room. We hope that the public feels a sense of familiarity and comfort like in their own home when they walk into the living room. We have also invited The Dovetail, a local Stratford community group to activate the space and use it for one of their workshops.”
The intricate detail of the exhibition speaks volume such as the wall hangings of the illustration of the Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery, a traditional Jewish-style bagel shop which is renowned since the establish opened in 1974. Another noteworthy piece is the Nakshi Kantha blanket, made by Shama Kun, a local Bengali sustainable creative who was commissioned by the curators and stands as a favourite item for both Anh and Pallavi.
Delving into personal ties, Dave Sohanpal lists his curator picks from the installation:
“There are so many things to mention as personally, I can relate to most of the items as they represent a part of my adolescence. Take, for example, the liquor cabinet, which belonged to my grandad. It was a tradition for retired army officers like him, to sit with their army buddies and engage in conversation (as my nan described it).
Then there is the record player, a treasure trove where I discovered music that shaped me with Coltrane, Max Romeo, Hendrix, Beatles, Black Sabbath, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye. All the school kids coming together to our house, drawn by the turntable and the cool music. I would even make cassette recordings for them.
The sewing machine, which was my nan's, became a source of play for me and a symbol of our close bond. If I wasn't at the pub with granddad, I'd be with nan. These memories transport me back to the joyous times we shared during my upbringing. I'm sure that anyone who visited Nana's house could relate to one or a few objects.”
Each item serves as a nostalgic link to many from different eras from Gen Z, Millennials to Gen X and Boomers to cherished moments, creating a tapestry that intertwines personal histories with the broader cultural heritage of east London.
“The living room is a place that holds multitudes. Through various objects in the room, from the wallpaper to mantelpiece items, to the fixtures in the space, each tells the story of different cultures in east London. These objects are contextualized through the story of an imaginary family, and their friends, who occupy the space.”
Says Pallavi Chamarty, when speaking about the diverse voices and the experiences of residents who are represented in the exhibition.
Within the immersive realm of the fictional characters, you can unfold their stories through the sound clips that can be discovered using the QR codes that are placed discreetly around the space like ‘grandad’ narrating the echoes of the Wapping Printers Strike in 1986 and the ‘Indian student tenant’ who guides you through aromatic tales of chai and the vibrant hub spots in Ilford, Green Street and Brick Lane.
These QR codes become portals to their stories, unlocking a symphony of voices that breathe life into the curated space. They're more than recordings; they're the heartbeat of east London's diverse narratives, an ode to the shared moments that bind generations together reverberating the past, the vibrancy of the present, and the promises of the future converge. It is more than a living room, it is a living, breathing testament to east London's cultural richness, forever etched in the threads of its history.
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