Tottenham Tapestries
Visual and audio tapestries made by the people of Tottenham.
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Tottenham Tapestries is a series of five audio-visual tapestries made in collaboration with Tottenham community members. The tapestries weave together interviews collected on Tottenham High Road with artistic responses.
There are five tapestries that make up this series. Beginning in the lobby in the Bernie Grant Centre ‘Welcome Tapestry’ celebrates Tottenham’s diverse community and bubbling culture. ‘History Tapestry’ looks at how each step of history is bound together to make our present and future. ‘Tottenham Odyssey Tapestry’ draws on Greek frieze’s and storytelling to reflect on the community’s power, resilience and care in times of challenge. ‘Youth Culture Tapestry’ inspired by hieroglyphs, creates new symbols that communicate creativity, community and the power of the next generation. ‘Future Tapestry’ holds the ideas and energy of what was shared from participants to inspire change.
Interview participants ranged from business owners on the highroad, residents of Protheroe House to community youth workers. Each one generously shared their stories, hopes and ideas of Tottenham culture and its community. We received amazing stories of resilience, history, creativity and future wishes for the local area.
Tottenham Tapestries is a celebration of Tottenham’s culture in an interactive art trail. -
To access the audio while at the Bernie Grant Centre, you will need a smartphone with a camera to scan the QR codes and a set of headphones. See our access guide for instructions if you’re not familiar with QR codes.
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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
Pacha People Producer: Flavia Bertram
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.
ACCESS INFORMATION
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Tottenham Tapestries is a free exhibition at the:
Bernie Grant Arts Centre
Town Hall Approach Rd
Tottenham Green
N15 4RX
www.berniegrantcentre.co.uk
020 8054 4447
boxoffice@berniegrant.co.ukOpening Times
The centre is not always open, so it is best to check before you come. The outdoor work can be seen anytime.
The centre is a five-minute walk from Seven Sisters Tube and Underground station and is serviced by many local buses.
Parking
Parking is located at the end of Clyde Road, N15 4FP.
The centre has two unreserved disabled parking bays. Access patrons have 15-minutes to provide their registration details to box office before a parking ticket is automatically generated. Standard parking is free to all blue badge holders, please report to reception to register on the exempt list for all day parking.From the high road:
You will approach the centre from Tottenham Green. You will see a red-fronted brick building called The Hub, which houses the cinema. Walk past (behind) the hub into the courtyard and you will see a glass-fronted theatre building. Enter the theatre building to access the first tapestry in the lobby. -
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) -
On the right hand side of each tapestry artwork is a description and a QR code, which links to the tapestry’s audio accompaniment.
If you are not sure how to use a QR code, don’t worry, it’s easy. All you need is a smart phone. (If you don’t have one you can access the art work at home on this web page)
To scan a QR code, open up the camera setting on your phone and point it at the QR code next to the image. Without taking a picture, hold the camera over the QR code until a yellow border and beginning of a website address pops up around the QR code. Without moving the phone, use your finger to click on the link. You should then be redirected to a website in your phone’s browser. If it’s your first time using a QR code, it may take a few tries to get the hang of it; but once you’ve got it, it’s easy and a useful digital skill for life.