Streets and Art

Peckham is a culturally distinctive area of South London, part of the borough of Camberwell, but with a palpable character of its own, thanks to an artistic undercurrent to ongoing regeneration and a diverse community.

In this picture are several artistic and cultural elements: the pub (obviously, pub culture!); the mural above, and the lampposts, both designed by Tom Phillips; and the bollard (one of a few on this road) designed by Anthony Gormley!

We began our exploration of the neighbourhood at the South London Gallery; a contemporary art and community space which was originally a fire station, but re-purposed as the first publicly accessible gallery in London in 1891. This openness, and desire to engage with local communities, is one which still drives the programming for the gallery today, and has led them to work out in the local area, rather than expecting the local area to simply come in. By taking risks within the framework of a supportive collective, the gallery allows questioning of social and political constructs through promoting agency rather than agenda.

A quick glimpse of the main space at South London Gallery

This can be seen in various ways: through championing new and upcoming artists, they support grassroots work, and allowing artists to take over and reshape the main room allows, through playing with space, a playing with expectations. Each week the gallery runs meet-ups for groups including mothers with mental health difficulties, and children in care: providing a space for art, play, and community. 

Image Source: artuner.com

A mural beneath the floor of the main space dictates the gallerys' mission statement

Outside of the gallery they run Art Block and Art Assasains - both community led groups allowing local engagement with art and artists. Work that has been produced out of these collaborations includes a multi-estate football pitch, and pavement art using quotes from residents. The fact that the education team at the gallery is the largest department underscores the significance placed on facilitation within the site and space.

South London Gallery: formal art, and art on the space

After the talk we set out into a very chilly Peckham evening, to explore the local area. We met back up on the corner of the road pictured above, to discuss the cultural aspects of the area, and our reactions to it: I have to confess my main reaction was "flippin' heck, I'm freezing", but the dynamism of the art surrounding us was dazzling. Around each corner we came across something interesting and vibrant, and the energy of the area was infectious, especially as we came out on to the main road and headed towards the Bussey Building, a multipurpose area filled with creative businesses, a cinema, art centre, shops and bars, which provides another coalescence point for the local community.

 

Seen around Peckham

Although I have lived in London for a while, I never thought of going to Peckham as somewhere to immerse myself in culture. However, this experience has made me reconsider aspects of what I deem 'cultural', and re-evaluate an area as an experience. As we discussed in the very first session of the Cultural Experience Award, culture can also be thought of in terms of a cultural identity (whether that of individuals or communities), and Peckham definitely has a very distinct, yet diverse, identity. 

I intend to head back to the area with my (boyfriend's) camera, on a slightly warmer day, as I really want to try out more street photography this year, and Peckham has such a dynamic mixture of elements. It's also made me want to be braver, to seek out other areas of London, and to find different districts with distinct cultural character.