FIRST THURSDAYS

With support from The Heritage Fund, these are the first large outputs from a project to unearth the hidden histories of the Aberfeldy Estate in Poplar, beginning when the area was first developed in the mid 14th Century up to the 1970s, when this first series of exhibited prints from photographs were originally created.

This parade along Aberfeldy Street was organised by local resident Tommy Shotter, whose family loaned us the original prints that feature many people who still live on the estate or who return regularly to visit friends and family.

‘Unearthing the Hidden Histories of Poplar‘ continues throughout 2020 and we are asking for more contributions of archival photographs of the area, from personal collections, to offer an alternative view of heritage to those held in official archives.

So far on Aberfeldy Street, Graham Carrick and Manuel Sanmartin have collaborated on painting an abstract on the shutters of No.43, Part2ism has begun a large piece on the facade of No.48 and CizeOne is planning series on other shutters along the street.

CizeOne will be leading youth workshops from late October.

Over the coming months, more of the empty units on the street will showcase abstract and futuristic imagery, creating an outdoor gallery to accompany the exhibition space inside The Tommy Flowers itself at 50 Aberfeldy Street

Keith Hopewell AKA Part2ism‘s multidisciplinary practice is focused on the utilisation of public space, and the understanding of how work can communicate in such ever-shifting environments. His paintings on canvas however, incorporate the same approach to his work in the public sphere, with the use of gestures, repetition, ritual and performance to create a language of the senses. Projects this year include a new collection of large scale canvas paintings, created at High House in Norfolk. As a resident at the house for 5 months, Antony Gormley gave Keith full licence to work outdoor anywhere on his 1000 acre grounds.

Manuel Sanmartin and Graham Carrick have worked together on a number of projects including a large scale collaborative piece for the foyer of Christies London, installations at Museo Alejandro Otero in Caracas, and empty spaces ranging from a 13th Century French chateau, to a disused Tyneside pithead.

For Aberfeldy Street, they’ll collaborate on a ‘live’ painting on 28th September, to accompany Part2ism‘s work at numbers 48-50 and CizeOne‘s upcoming shutter series in October. CizeOne will be leading youth workshops from mid-October.

This High Street Works series is facilitated by Meanwhile Space and Jan Kattein Architects, working with commissioning agency Fitzrovia Noir.

Siger Gallery was established in 2012 to promote and sell a broad range of emerging UK and international artists. Siger is a dynamic platform for a range of art practices including: painting, performance, sculpture, photography, printmaking and animation. Siger Gallery exhibits internationally, past shows include London, Hong Kong, Singapore and Milan. 

For Siger’s exhibition at the Tommy Flowers a selection of the gallery’s artists present a bit of international flair along with a dash of homegrown talent. With artists from as far flung as Mexico and from Gateshead closer at home, Siger’s eclectic mix brings the dynamism expected of the gallery. Bringing together the artists interpretations of the body in their own unique styles we present a body of works that blurs between the untruths of an Instagram age and the internal struggle of self-perception. Are we ever what we think we are and will what we strive for ever be achievable?

Works include the delicately formed and exquisitely executed ethereal hair drawings of Alexandra Buhl of Denmark. Mexican Guillermo Monroy’s found objects reimagined and given new life as a menagerie of new creatures. Paul Robinson’s Pink Bear lives a life of highs and lows in beautiful technically intricately produced paintings and prints. Graham Carrick’s paintings writhe at the notion of what we perceive to be attainable goals. Alex Allmont provides the rhythm of the show with a previously commissioned drum machine with an unlikely twist.

The Tommy Flowers welcomes Siger Gallery’s exhibition by introducing a few friends to the exhibiting artists list in a coming together of old friends and new. This fusion of artistic output adds to the melting pot of collaboration that breeds new exciting exchanges of ideas.

An award winning contemporary art photographer based in London, Nicholas Joubinaux has photographed a number of high profile people including the late Roger Moore, as well as places and products around the world.

His work comprises expert skill in image processing and manipulation of natural light sources as well as composition. Interested in the public's perception of the medium of photography, Joubinaux's ongoing series of work 'Camera (Regarder)' allows the viewer an insight into how a camera works. Also it shows the beautiful process of manipulation of light that the camera lens and eye share.

Joubinaux has taken part in two art residencies the first was with the University of East London at Trinity Buoy Wharf in Poplar, the second in Baku, Azerbaijan with The No Collective, where he emulated a camera in 'large scale' by setting up the spaces as a camera obscura. This is where light is projected from the external images of the skyline, landscape and vista, which then develops onto the internal surfaces of the space and light-sensitive photographic paper.

To record these effects Joubinaux had been experimenting with different photographic papers and light sensitive materials. These captured images will show the changing light conditions over time documenting a 'live', fugitive phenomenon.

Coloured People is an iterative series based on the lived-experiences of the construct of race; within an inner-London borough in the UK. The series currently comprises of seven pieces. 

Each piece attempts to capture a stage in the artists own constructive development. A Social Constructionist perspective was taken to produce these artworks.