SPACE Ilford is delighted to present Transitions, the first ever UK exhibition by Parisian based sound artist and DJ, Alan Abrahams in collaboration with a mixture of local east London based residents and community art participants.
SPACE Ilford is delighted to present Transitions, the first ever UK exhibition by Parisian based sound artist and DJ, Alan Abrahams in collaboration with a mixture of local east London based residents and community art participants.
Interweaving spoken word, film and collage, the exciting new video tapestry artwork was co-created with a mixture of community art participants and the artist over a four month-period and is the artists first transition as internationally acclaimed DJ and sound artist into the realms of visual and fine art.
The video tapestry artwork consists of a series of short films created in collaboration with local community members and filmed in the east London neighbourhood of Redbridge seen through fresh eyes by international artist, Alan Abrahams.
Based in Paris, Alan spent four days walking the streets of Redbridge, capturing the borough’s urban landscape, its architectural gems, hidden alleyways, green spaces, and community life. Despite the rapid changes of recent years, he discovered a place with a rich cultural and environmental heritage.
Filmed in cinematic widescreen and enhanced with cross-processed imagery, the filmed series offers an immersive glimpse beneath the surface of the everyday. Each film is accompanied by a bespoke soundtrack, spoken word, composed to complement the visual journey.
In a unique, co-creative approach typical of SPACE Gallery’s approach in Ilford, Alan invited the local public, poets and writers to respond to his films and music. Their spoken word performances were woven into the soundtracks, creating a layered, evocative fusion of sight, sound, and narrative voice.
Themes voiced by participants explore their frustrations at the rise of homelessness, lack of affordable housing and the housing crisis, crime, regeneration and the need for working class representation in the arts.
This project was about extending beyond traditional exhibition making and allowing local participants to directly engage in the creative process, building confidence in discussing art, exploring new artistic experiences, and sharing personal creative work.
Transitions is a sensory tapestry that invites audiences to see and feel in new ways, transforming the ordinary into moments of deeper resonance and connection.
“Over the four workshops that we held to co-create this – the piece kept changing a lot as we were continually bouncing our ideas and edits off one another and this back and forth collaboration completely shaped the whole process and the final artwork. To have all these different personalities and characters meeting for the first time and working together on this one artwork felt really exciting, experimental and that we were able to create something really unique”
– Alan Abrahams, the artist
The collaborative process highlighted a strong sense of place, purpose, and care for creative development within the community. Participants’ contributions reinforced the role of art as a tool for connection, empowerment, and lasting social impact.
“Co-creation exists everywhere but we create new work at SPACE Ilford.
We’re not curating work that already exists – we’re creating new work and giving local community members a chance to collaborate with contemporary artists allowing them to have that relationship, an open dialogue and open conversation with an artist with no judgment.
It’s about addressing inequalities within the arts and supporting everyone’s creative development. The relationship hones confidence around the language of art allowing people to become confident within their own creative practice.
We wanted to create opportunities for people to collaborate on an even platform where their ideas, thoughts, expressions are channelled through the co- created art which is then incorporated by the leading artist in a way that feels like ownership of their work in a public gallery setting allowing them to be visibly recognised like associate artists. The outcome is an exhibition that truly reflect the shared experiences and insights we create together.”
– Head of Programmes Premlata Mistry – SPACE