Photographers Lucy Harrison and Katherine Green have collaborated on a new project that surveys the former Warner Estate in the suburbs of East London. The project explores the changing uses of domestic architecture and communities, and compares two points in history of rapid change in East London. A mixture of contemporary photography and oral history will be presented alongside early 20th century photographs as well as other historical material related to the Warner Estate. The exhibition opens on Friday 30th May and runs through Sunday 15th June. To accompany the exhibition, a new limited edition book is also being published and there will be free walks, talks and events throughout.

Press Release

Collaborative Art Project unearths the history of 19th Century Housing Estate

Artists Lucy Harrison and Katherine Green have collaborated on a new project that surveys the former Warner Estate in the suburbs of East London. The artists have worked with the archive of the Walthamstow Historical Society and with local writer and researcher Kirstin Sibley to produce the first extensive survey of how these unique and distinctive 19th and early 20th century properties are used in modern times. The results will be presented in an exhibition from 30 May – 15 June 2014 in London.

The project explores the changing uses of domestic architecture and communities, and compares two points in history of rapid change in East London. A mixture of contemporary photography and oral history will be presented alongside early 20th century photographs from renowned architectural photographers Bedford Lemere & Co, now owned by Walthamstow Historical Society, as well as other historical material related to the Warner Estate. The project includes photographs of and interviews with older residents, council tenants and first time buyers.

To accompany the exhibition, a new limited edition book is also being published and there will be free walks, talks and events throughout. See the project website for details.

Both Harrison and Green are local to the area, and have experienced first hand the changes that are occurring. Lucy says:

At a time when East London is becoming rapidly gentrified and a lack of affordable housing is a huge issue for many, the project looks at one example of how a private company developed large amounts of good quality housing stock and its legacy for the area today.

This is the first time these artists have worked together.

Lucy Harrison works on collaborative projects in the public realm, and examines our complicated relationships with places. Recently she has worked on commissions for the London Legacy Development Corporation, Islington Council, and Southbank Centre. Her most recent project was Carnaby Echoes (2013), a commission for Shaftesbury PLC, which examined the hidden musical history of the Carnaby estate in central London, and culminated in an exhibition, book, and series of short films.

Katherine Green is a social documentary photographer, who has recently exhibited at National Portrait Gallery, British Library and The Lowry. Her work seeks to capture and celebrate the lives of local people through both photography and oral history, focusing on what makes and bonds communities.

The project is funded by Waltham Forest Council and the Stow Brothers estate agents.

Exhibition

WE: The Ex-Warner Estate in Waltham Forest: Friday 30 May – Sunday 15 June

Address: The Former Warner Rent Office, 2A Rushbrook Crescent (corner of Brettenham Road)

London E17 5BZ

Opening times: Thursday – Sunday 12-7pm

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Photo: 

Off License, Corner of Carr and Brettenham Roads, 1903

© Bedford Lemere & Co

Part of WE: The Ex-Warner Estate in Waltham Forest

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