Havering’s Fantastic Secret Artist Exhibition Returns To Rainham.
By Ruth Kettle-Frisby – Guest Writer and Community Activist
Ruth is passionate about fostering positive change within the local community and regularly contributes insights and stories to The Havering Daily.
“It’s inspiring to see so many hidden artists and creative people in Havering.” – local artist, Liam O’Connell.
“More people should support the Secret Artist; old or young, give it a go!” – local artist, Andy Walker.
What if art was no longer the preserve of elite closed circuits, but open to self-taught artists from all backgrounds? Look no further than Rainham Hall’s historic Hayloft for the return of the enchanting Secret Artist exhibition.
A host of budding local artists join seasoned mainstays, including: Babs Thwaites; Coral Jeffery; textile artist, Vix; print-maker and ceramicist, Thomas Lemon; and photographer, Marie Mclaughlin. Their passion for nature in all its beauty and complexity breathes life – and often whimsical curiosity – into the exhibition every year.
The exhibition represents a safe and authentic space, empowering talented local artists to express themselves honestly and without societally-imposed boundaries; whether that involves creating punchy political satire in ‘The Toolmaker’s Dustbin’, or laying bare individual experiences related to mental health, including ‘Abstract Distraction’, and ‘The Silent Scream’. The results are mesmerising, silently unravelling stigma along the way.
This year’s curation weaves through vibrant fruits and flowers, intricately embroidered insects and a towering sunflower. It seems to organically culminate in a poignant celebration of our shared rootedness in nature, with an ongoing, beautifully crocheted community depiction of the wonders of the forest floor – bursting with living principles of sustainability.
It’s striking to think that while across the globe our rivers and oceans are being polluted with litter, here in Rainham everything from old jumpers and CDs to a church pew is being recycled and repurposed.
As Rainham’s own self-styled artwork incarnate herself, Babs Thwaites, muses,
“I’m really pleased new artists have applied and built on the success of the previous years because doing so builds community, which is so important”.
Don’t miss the exhibition itself, or the brand new opportunity to join an exclusive Secret Artist Drop In workshop completely free of charge.
Secret Artist Exhibition – free at Rainham Hall Hayloft:
Wed 22 July – Sun 23 August (not open Mon / Tue) – 11am – 4pm
Secret Artist Saturday Drop In – free for adults and adult-accompanied children:
Sat 1 Aug 11am – 3pm: Print your own Letter Press Bookmark
Sat 8 Aug 2pm – 3.30pm: Create a Scrappy Bug with old fabrics and trimmings
Sat 15 Aug 11am – 12.30pm, and 1pm – 3pm: Forest Floor with Fabrics
Sat 22 Aug 11.30am – 1pm: Make a Book Hog to take home
Sat 22 Aug 2-3.30pm: Learn to crochet a bit of the Forest Floor
Stay up to date with all of our latest updates and content by following us on our social media accounts!
We have created community pages where we will share our up-to-date stories happening in the area. Add the area closest to where you live.
Discover more from The Havering Daily
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.