People Powered
People Powered takes a look at some of the individuals involved in our important industries and celebrates the local that keeps our national exports thriving. Produced in collaboration with 5 partners; Brent Museum and Archives, University of Hertfordshire and Elstree Screen Arts Academy, University of West London, Redbridge Museum & Heritage Centre and Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art with Teesside University in Teesside. Young people, from each location, will capture oral histories either through filmmaking or photography, supported by an experienced artist. They will uncover previously hidden stories and share the lived realities of their local industries, highlighting significant figures who made an impact. Each location will incorporate a display combining local and national collections along with newly created content open to the public. Local primary schools will be invited to explore place making and storytelling through local faces either in the display or in workshops at their schools.
Elstree: Behind the scenes of the British Hollywood
The Film and TV studios of Elstree and Borehamwood are known worldwide for glamorous actors, superstar directors and a legacy of TV and film hits – from Star Wars to The Crown. These names are prominent in the Gallery collection and form the basis of The Elstree Project – an oral history archive, at the University of Hertfordshire. Working with this archive, artist Marysa Dowling and students from Elstree Screen Arts Academy we look to build on this collection of stories and find the stories of those who worked in front of the camera and behind the scenes to make the industry a success.
Heathrow: Our local Airport
Heathrow is a site of travel, a beacon of the aviation industry and the gateway from England to the rest of the world. But for some local residents it is the place they first experienced entering the UK and somewhere they grew to know very well, not just for holidays or trips away, but as an employer. The University of West London shares its Heathrow Archives and works with us, artist Narvir Singh, and local young people to tell personal stories of the airport in everyday life.
Wembley: From the ground up
Wembley Stadium has hosted star footballers through to glamorous musicians, but who are the people that keep the ground going all year round? In collaboration with Brent Museum we delve into the lives of the people who have worked at Wembley Stadium and its surrounding community, exploring how local people engage with the industry of English football and Wembley Stadium from a grassroots level.
Ilford Limited – Analogue Stories
Analogue photography values the process, the materials and the equipment to get a good image. Ilford Limited. started out in Ilford in what is now the borough of Redbridge as one of the best and most versatile companies to support all of a photographers’ needs. Together with Redbridge Museum & Heritage Centre, photographer Eddie Otchere and a group of local young people we delve into the Ilford Limited. archives and discover the joy of manual photography, factory life in Ilford and some of the stories from former Ilford workers.
Teesside
The River Tees: My Employer
The River Tees has influenced more than just the name of Teesside, it has shaped the landscape of the city and the industry which surrounds it. Working collaboratively with Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art and Teesside University we explore the stories of those who depend on the River for their livelihoods and how this has evolved over time. Including the British Steel Industry, chemical plants, fishing, house building, town planning and recreational sports and leisure.
Tish Murtha
Tish Murtha, (1956-2013) is a social documentary photographer who captured the working class lives of Teesside residents.
Thomas Bell
Sir Thomas Bell, (1844-1931) was the Mayor of Middlesbrough during the construction of the Tees Transporter Bridge and along with his wife Lady Florence Bell, (1851-1930) attended the opening of the Tees Transporter Bridge in 1911.
Funded by The National Heritage Lottery Fund and Art Fund
