Arts project inspires local communities

Until 26th October 2008 / Wed - Sun 11am – 4pm

The Forty Hall, Forty Hill Enfield, Middlesex EN2 9HA

Workshops: until 19th October

Press & Public reception: 21 October 5pm-8pm

‘Across the Grain’, is an exciting project where artists and local people from Turkish and Greek communities use various art forms to look at the way cultures come together when they are far away from their roots.

The three main components are:

An installation in the gallery, which includes a tree house;

Video works created by selected artists in collaboration with local people;

Specific works on site created by artists and placed within Forty Hall.

During the project Turkish and Greek contributors shared with each other their experiences in Britain. They were encouraged to investigate their lives and the relationship between their communities as well as with other local cultures.

Sumer Erek, who created the project, said, “It has been most rewarding to see how people from the Turkish and Greek communities have responded to this challenging work. How their ideas have been reshaped and reformed whilst living in Britain is part of this exploration.

“Their conversations have been filmed and displayed as part of the main exhibition – this is a living work and I appreciate the enthusiasm that everyone has brought to it.”

Personal objects that people regard as part of their culture or heritage have also contributed to the project.

Cllr Jon Kaye, cabinet member for leisure, culture and Olympics, added, “The enthusiasm and commitment shown in this interesting project demonstrates just how willing people are to take part in new ventures and contribute so much.

“Enfield Council will be signing an official Twin Town Agreement with both Sariyer in Istanbul and Halandri, Athens in November. This arts project reinforces the importance we attach to this agreement.”

Independent artists, Metin Şenergüç, Patrick Michalopoulos, Panayiotis Delilabros, İsmail Erbil, Anna Maria Pinaka, Meropi Zavlari and Deniz Ünal will also produce multidisciplinary art works, inspired from the Forty Hall’s spatial characteristics and its history.

All art works produced during the project will be exhibited at Forty Hall and in its gallery.

For further information about the exhibition, workshops or artist:

Hatice Abdullah / 020 8379 1467 / hatice.abdullah@enfield.gov.uk

Zoe Prosser / 020 8379 1466 / zoe.prosser@enfield.gov.uk

Sümer Erek / 079 5766 6097 / sumererek@aol.com / www.sumererek.com

Enfield Council’s Arts & Events team commissioned ‘Across the Grain’ with financial support by Arts Council Arts Council England.

This document was last updated on 2008-10-16 11:22:27 published by the Communications team. Document Reference:LBE_133439