Portals to Willesden
Emma Barnie
22 – 26 January
Portals to Willesden is an exhibition hatched from a two week artist residency at the Gallery at Willesden Green Library. The daily workshops focused on the library both physically and conceptually, and the work created by participants is featured as a central part of this exhibition. These sessions were a great way to discover Willesden through people who have shared their past stories, experiences and future dreams.
The exhibition contains twelve brand new artworks of NW10 that have been created during the residency. The illustrative designs have been influenced by Brent Museum and archives; as well as local industry, popular culture and imagination. Outside the gallery window on Grange Road are three sets of sonic portals, two of which connect together, the other remains a mystery. The exhibition taps into the fantastical side of Willesden Green and its surroundings.
These local images have been weaved together with some very recent pieces from where the artist lives in south east London.
The artist
Barnie is a visual artist working in illustration, documentary and installation. Her interests lie in heritage, culture and socio-politics presented with a playful twist. Born and raised by the mysterious Loch Ness she is now digging deep into the murky depths of SE and NW London. Currently she is focusing on exploring and depicting London based on archives fused with imagination to create surreal cityscapes.
She has worked with local councils and arts festivals in London to create site specific installations and street art. Recent projects have provided playful twists on literary references to historic locals for Greenwich Heritage Arts, and creating and producing murals to commemorate former local residents H G Wells in Sutton and Charles Dickens in New Cross, respectively.
Barnie has directed and produced short documentary films which have been screened at Edinburgh International Film Festival and won awards at Open City Docs Fest. She has also created installations for festivals including Boomtown and Shambala.