© LivingWandsworth
Bus shelters become art spaces
Never has the prospect of waiting for a bus been so appealing. Ten bus shelters along the Number 37 bus route have become exhibition spaces showcasing artwork created by artists from Action Space’s south west London studio.
The ‘Diversion’ project is an exciting partnership between Wandsworth Council’s Arts Team, Action Space (London’s leading visual arts organisation for people with learning difficulties), London Buses and Clear Channel Outdoor, who have generously enabled use of the bus shelter poster sites.
Part of the national Big Draw initiative, the work on display is varied and vibrant. It challenges notions of what drawing can be, and will liven up selected bus shelters across the route, which crosses the borough from Clapham Junction to Putney Heath.
Artist Charlotte Hollinshead led group workshops to produce the pieces and devised an innovative approach to photographing the results through a reflective tube, creating a uniting circular feature and unusual effects. Charlotte is a UK artist living and working in London, graduating from Saint Martins School of Art in 1995. She facilitates projects with adults with profound learning disabilities and young children, creating interactive installations and art/play spaces.
'Diversion' is one of a series of Big Draw projects happening as part of the Wandsworth’s Artists’ Open House event. The Big Draw is a month-long season of drawing events for people of all ages and abilities. Over 1000 venues will use drawing, painting and a vast range of other media to connect visitors with museum and gallery collections, urban and rural spaces – and the wider community - in new and enjoyable ways. For information about The Big Draw visit www.campaignfordrawing.org/bigdraw
Wandsworth Council’s Arts Team recognise the value of arts in the borough; its unique ability to promote community engagement and social cohesion, to increase wellbeing amongst residents, to enhance the public realm and to foster a sense of place and belonging in the borough. For more information see www.wandsworth.gov.uk/arts
Action Space is London’s leading visual arts organisation for people with learning disabilities. Participants take part in a wide range of visual art activities, including painting, photography, and sculpture. Their projects are user lead - participants choose what they would like to work on and which materials they want to use. Participants exhibit and sell their work in high profile venues, which have included Battersea Arts Centre, Camden Arts Centre and the Affordable Art Fair. Workshops are lead by practicing artists and supported by volunteers.
Action Space uses the visual arts to significantly enhance the quality of life of Londoners with learning disabilities. Involvement inspires participants to believe in their own talent and creative potential, thereby increasing their self-esteem, confidence and independence.
Action Space addresses key issues that affect the lives of people with learning disabilities. These include:
• The problems of integration and inclusion into the community as a whole.
• Raising the profile of the talent and creative potential of people with learning disabilities.
• The desire of people with learning disabilities to express themselves through their art and to make their positive contribution to society recognised.
Action Space uses the visual arts to address these issues across the whole range of its projects and programmes.
Their aims are:
• To be user-led and participatory.
• To encourage the personal and artistic development of each participant.
• To provide a platform to show case the talents and achievements of emerging artists with learning disabilities.
• To serve the whole of the learning disabled community in terms of age, level of disability, cultural background and also geographically.
For information about Action Space www.actionspace.org
All 10 posters from the 'Diversion' project can be seen together at
Southside Shopping Centre
Wandsworth
London SW18 4TF [Map]
www.southsidewandsworth.com
This innovative project brings some exceptional work into the public realm where it can be enjoyed and appreciated by the thousands of people that pass along the Number 37 bus route.
The ‘Diversion’ project is an exciting partnership between Wandsworth Council’s Arts Team, Action Space (London’s leading visual arts organisation for people with learning difficulties), London Buses and Clear Channel Outdoor, who have generously enabled use of the bus shelter poster sites.
Part of the national Big Draw initiative, the work on display is varied and vibrant. It challenges notions of what drawing can be, and will liven up selected bus shelters across the route, which crosses the borough from Clapham Junction to Putney Heath.
Artist Charlotte Hollinshead led group workshops to produce the pieces and devised an innovative approach to photographing the results through a reflective tube, creating a uniting circular feature and unusual effects. Charlotte is a UK artist living and working in London, graduating from Saint Martins School of Art in 1995. She facilitates projects with adults with profound learning disabilities and young children, creating interactive installations and art/play spaces.
'Diversion' is one of a series of Big Draw projects happening as part of the Wandsworth’s Artists’ Open House event. The Big Draw is a month-long season of drawing events for people of all ages and abilities. Over 1000 venues will use drawing, painting and a vast range of other media to connect visitors with museum and gallery collections, urban and rural spaces – and the wider community - in new and enjoyable ways. For information about The Big Draw visit www.campaignfordrawing.org/bigdraw
Wandsworth Council’s Arts Team recognise the value of arts in the borough; its unique ability to promote community engagement and social cohesion, to increase wellbeing amongst residents, to enhance the public realm and to foster a sense of place and belonging in the borough. For more information see www.wandsworth.gov.uk/arts
Action Space is London’s leading visual arts organisation for people with learning disabilities. Participants take part in a wide range of visual art activities, including painting, photography, and sculpture. Their projects are user lead - participants choose what they would like to work on and which materials they want to use. Participants exhibit and sell their work in high profile venues, which have included Battersea Arts Centre, Camden Arts Centre and the Affordable Art Fair. Workshops are lead by practicing artists and supported by volunteers.
Action Space uses the visual arts to significantly enhance the quality of life of Londoners with learning disabilities. Involvement inspires participants to believe in their own talent and creative potential, thereby increasing their self-esteem, confidence and independence.
Action Space addresses key issues that affect the lives of people with learning disabilities. These include:
• The problems of integration and inclusion into the community as a whole.
• Raising the profile of the talent and creative potential of people with learning disabilities.
• The desire of people with learning disabilities to express themselves through their art and to make their positive contribution to society recognised.
Action Space uses the visual arts to address these issues across the whole range of its projects and programmes.
Their aims are:
• To be user-led and participatory.
• To encourage the personal and artistic development of each participant.
• To provide a platform to show case the talents and achievements of emerging artists with learning disabilities.
• To serve the whole of the learning disabled community in terms of age, level of disability, cultural background and also geographically.
For information about Action Space www.actionspace.org
All 10 posters from the 'Diversion' project can be seen together at
Southside Shopping Centre
Wandsworth
London SW18 4TF [Map]
www.southsidewandsworth.com
This innovative project brings some exceptional work into the public realm where it can be enjoyed and appreciated by the thousands of people that pass along the Number 37 bus route.
by Kay Lockett
