Gavin Maughfling

This is Gavin Maughfling's first time in the Trail and he is opening up a house and home studio full of paintings. The relationships between photography, painting, time and geography in this body of work are very interesting. His recreated archive images include black and white Victoriana, 1950s Americana and current international webcam footage, while his new work uses recent personal photographs. So lots to see in Church Hill Road and a beautiful garden as well .........

1. Please tell us about the work you will be showing in the 2009 E17 Art Trail?
The exhibition will be throughout my house with work from different series:

• - a body of paintings which originated with webcam images of remote landscapes from locations from Antarctica to Alaska, which explore ideas of the sublime and landscape as a pyschological space.
• - a series of recent paintings which are about hidden histories and intimate relationships, based on archive photographs of gay couples.
• - the main focus of my participation, my most recent work, in which I use my own recent history, originating in family snapshots and video footage of an extended family holiday stay in the Stockholm Archipelago.

These include small oil on gesso panels. in these new works I'm interested in ideas of companionship, familial and couple relationships and the sub-texts which lie underneath a family gathering.

2. Could you have done this work anywhere, or is it specific to E17? Did you respond to this year’s Art Trail theme ‘At Home’?
This is work I was already engaged in; my relationship to the theme At Home is perhaps in thinking about how my work sits in a domestic space, how I use my own home to display and reflect on the work I make. Apart from organising my studio into an exhibition space, I'll show the rest of the work as it usually is in a domestic setting.

3. Have you participated in the E17 Art Trail before?
No - I've always been away this time of year!

4. How does your work this year relate to your previous artistic practice?
As I outlined above, in some ways there are new themes - the introduction of personal archive source material rather than images found on the web - but I am also bringing together strands - landscape, personal relationships - which I have explored in earlier works. All of my work uses photography as its source material. In the case of earlier series this has been material found on the internet: webcam footage, personal websites, American college sites.

Chance discovery and unearthing of imagery not widely seen has been an important part of the process. In the new paintings I'm showing for 'Archipelago' I am using personal photographs and video stills with a more direct autobiographical link. I these paintings I have attempted to work towards a more fluid and open relation beween my work and its photographic source material in order to achieve deeper layers of ambiguity and multiple meaning through the handling of paint, gesture, composition and colour.

5. What challenges (if any) do you face in realising this work?
A sense of distance from very personal material, so that I can critique the work as I would normally do. The small gesso panels have been a great challenge, in terms of scale (for me, very small) and surface (I usually paint on canvas).

6. Who is this work for?
Hard question! All - my work I think is something that elicits a strong response from a number of people out of any particular group - it's always impossible to predict or categorise who will find themselves engaged by what I do. I think the layers of ambiguity in my work perhaps enable it to strike connections with viewers even if they do not have obvious direct links with the specific subject matter - this is in any event what I would hope for.

7. As well as being an artist what else do you do?
I lecture part-time, at Putney School of Art and Design, and at the University of Hertfordshire.

8. What is your favourite place in E17?
Walking home through St Mary's Churchyard.

Gavin Maughfling: http://talkshow.org.uk/artist/show/Gavin_Maughfling

Barry Lyndon

While I was at Inky Cuttlefish I met a man called Barry Lyndon. He is not a Inky Cuttlefish studio artist but is having his own show at Hatherly Mews entitled Artistic Mix. Enter a world of mysterious phenomena, the mystic, the psychic and the extra terrestrial. On show will be skeletons. pyramids, collages, bizarre photos of the mothership (they always interfere) and more. The aliens have his number..... who's to say they don't have yours?


1. Could you have done this work anywhere, or is it specific to E17? Did you respond to this year’s Art Trail theme ‘At Home’?
Could be anywhere but ET is at home in E17.

2. Have you participated in the E17 Art Trail before?
This is my first time but I have been trying to do it for ages. This is the first year I have had an email address and it is very difficult to get involved in the Trail if you don't have email and easy internet access. There are quite a few others in this position too.

3. What challenges (if any) do you face in realising this work?
My main challenge is storage. I live in a small flat and don't have anywhere else to do or keep my work.

4. Who is this work for?

It's for other people like me who have had strange or unexplained experiences. Maybe this work will encourage them to talk about it too.

5. As well as being an artist what else do you do?

I am now unemployed because of the recession. I would love to work in an Art Gallery if anyone wants me!

6. What is your favourite place in E17?

Vestry House Museum Garden. It's very special. There are actually Ley lines through Walthamstow Village and the name of Leyton relates to these.

Inky Cuttlefish Studios

In the absence of the anticipated flood of responses from the Inky Cuttlefish Studio artists (I got one – thank you Michael Stanger!), I decided to head down there and interrogate whoever was around. This feature on Inky Cuttlefish includes everyone I found there during my visit but if there are more of you who want to be included please send me your info and pics before September 2nd.

One of the studios founders, Anna Alcock, was there on my visit so I asked her a few questions about the studios themselves and about her work in this year’s Trail.


1. How old is Inky Cuttlefish?
Inky Cuttlefish has been up and running for two and a half years, first in Pearl Road and now in its bigger space on Blackhorse Lane.

2. How many artists and will they all be participating in the Open Studios for the Art Trail?
There are 18 artists with studios here at the moment. Most of them will be showing their work here during the Trail but some will have their own exhibitions elsewhere. There are several different elements to the Art Trail event. Much of what will be shown comes under the broad heading of Variety but within that are some very distinct individual studio shows. We are also showing part of the Tales of Folk project. Inky Cuttlefish ran workshops for what started as a group of Asian Women for Joint Community Day Services. The project was to create artwork to be exhibited at a Tate Modern exhibition in July - part of Learning Disability Week - entitled 'This is my Life' and as an Art Trail exhibition at the Barbican Arts Group Trust.

The theme for the Art Trail exhibition 'Tales of Folk' includes work that participants did with facilitators exploring folktales and myths as a way of expressing themselves and enabling them to experiment with hands-on textile art techniques such as: collage, stamping, monoprinting, stencilling, drawing & painting and stitching. Other pieces include beadwork and sculptural pieces. The workshops were run by four Inky Cuttlefish Artist Facilitators: Ulrika Bygge, Kirsten Schmidt, Sue Brown and Carol Reid. NYONI ART

3. What work of your own are you putting in the Trail this year?
I’m exhibiting lino cuts and two paintings as well. I have been documenting the past year and exploring my relationships with the world, people, institutions and my growing family. Working mainly with relief printing and using experimental techniques and hand-colouring I’ve tried to use both established and new printmaking techniques as a means of looking at my own emotions.

4. Could you have done this work anywhere, or is it specific to E17? Did you respond to this year’s Art Trail theme ‘At Home’?
It’s all site-specific in the sense that my home is in E17, the studios are here so my life is kind of site-specific to E17. My subject matter this year happens to be ‘home’ anyway so the theme works.

5. Have you participated in the E17 Art Trail before?
Yes, since the first one in 2005.

6. How does your work this year relate to your previous artistic practice?
It’s a definite continuation of my printing practice but this year for the first time I am also showing paintings. There are only two but they are the result of an experimental process earlier in the year where I made painted over variations of a particular print. I then actually recreated that image from scratch using paint only.

7. What challenges (if any) do you face in realising this work?
Time! Organising family, studio management, my own work and all the workshops and projects to generate enough income to pay the rent is always a challenge.

8. Who is this work for?
It’s for me in the sense that it is a cathartic process that helps me to make sense of the world. It’s also for anyone who recognises something in it that has meaning for them but it’s especially for those who want to buy it!

9. What is your favourite place in E17?
My favourites are all the green areas. The Lea Valley and Walthamstow Marshes, Ferry Lane near the water and the Ferry Boat Inn.

Photo : Harriet Armstrong

ULRIKA & TESS BYGGE

I also found sisters Ulrika and Tess Bygge who are doing a collaborative exhibition project on the exterior walls of Inky Cuttlefish. The project ‘Watch Women’ will be a combination of Ulrika’s large textile hanging works and Tess’s experimental photo-emulsion prints. Although each is working in a completely different discipline both are exploring how perceptions are created and presented. Part of the concept of the project originates from their studio itself which they share with Mandora, a shop mannequin manufacturer. Mandora donated two mannequins for the project and as well as being photographic subjects they will also feature in their own right.

1. Please tell us about the work you will be showing in the 2009 E17 Art Trail?
Ulrika:
I am doing urban wall hangings depicting different figures of women which are created from re-used or found textile pieces. It’s a long process. I often print the original outline sketch from a Mac and then work from that. I then apply the mix of textiles to build the shape in whatever way is necessary. This can mean anything from stitch, staple and glue to hammer and burn!

Tess:
I am an applied photographer and this will be a very experimental project in which I will create prints on wood. I found the pieces of wood, whitewashed them and then applied a photo emulsion print. The images themselves are of mannequins who share our studio at Inky Cuttlefish.

2. Could you have done this work anywhere, or is it specific to E17? Did you respond to this year’s Art Trail theme ‘At Home’?
The studio is here and we’re exhibiting here so it’s site specific to Inky Cuttlefish. This studio enabled us to complete the project. It’s a creative haven and we are very happy to be here and proud of it.

3. Have you participated in the E17 Art Trail before?
Yes last year also here at the studios.

4. How does your work this year relate to your previous artistic practice?
Ulrika:
It’s a natural progression for me. several years but I have gradually become more textiles/illustration oriented in a more site specific way.

Tess:
It’s a big experiment for me. I've been learning for the past year at Rachel’s Darkroom (also housed in the Inky Cuttlefish building) and now I’m seeing where it takes me.

5. What challenges (if any) do you face in realising this work?
Ulrika:
Challenges are size, scale and proportions! Everything I use in my work is recycled or found. I really don’t like to have to buy textiles to complete a piece so I have to plan and work with what I’ve got.

Tess:
Working with a new medium and working out how to get the emulsion to set or stay on, underestimating the time it takes to saw and size the wood and how to make the final pieces weatherproof.

6. Who is this work for?
Anybody. This is why we want to exhibit it outside so that anyone passing by can enjoy it.

7. As well as being an artist what else do you do?
Ulrika:
I do workshops and am a freelance illustrator and graphic designer

Tess:
I’m an Art Technician at Kelmscott School and I do some freelance project work.

8. What is your favourite place in E17?
Inky Cuttlefish (x 2).

TERRI DURRANT
Another Inky Cuttlefish artist who happened to be loitering during my visit was Terri Durrant Her studio is very small but if all goes to plan it will be a mini multimedia experience under the heading ‘The Presence of Emotion. She is showing two paintings, a potentially participatory sculpture, a collage creation, a sound installation and who knows what else might be in there by next Saturday! The common thread, however, is an exploration of self perception and the physical presence, or absence, of emotion. The two paintings in the show focus on a visual embodiment of emotion while the sound installation will use snatches of songs to recreate a personal emotional journey in an abbreviated form. The sculpture asks questions about self perception and the collage provides some kind of an answer.

Terri is a full time accountant doing a part-time Fine Art degree at Chelsea College of Art so it’s safe to say that her biggest challenge is time. She has only been at Inky Cuttlefish for 4 months and doesn’t actually live in E17 or the Borough. However, I then bumped into a couple of other people who were also from outside the borough…….

Ian Wellwood and Amanda Buttery
Ian and Amanda will be exhibiting work that resulted from textile and print workshops they took at Inky Cuttlefish. It’s their first time in the Trail too but they were visitors at last year’s Trail and had such a good time they wanted to get involved and participate in the Trail themselves. The work they are showing consists of two bags, one of which is called the ‘Waltham Forest Shopper’, and four prints - two on textile and two on paper. For them the only challenge is getting here from King’s Cross at weekends!

Dr. Knit and the Knitting Laboratory

I haven't really thought about knitting ...... ever. ... and would certainly not have associated it with passion of any kind! However, the arrival of Dr. Knit and the Knitting Laboratory in the Trail this year has reminded me of the constant clickety clack of needles in my Granny's house and her seemingly endless production of toys, animals and our favourite cartoon characters! In fact I'm sure I still have some of them in a box somewhere .....

1.Tell us about the work you will be showing in the 2009 E17 Art Trail?
I have always had a passion for arts and crafts, and through the years I learned many different techniques, including illustration, sculpture, papier-mache, ceramics, sewing and knitting. For the Knitting Laboratory project I’ve concentrated on knitting, which as well as being very comforting, enables me to create a wide variety of different toys, using varying textures and colours. I wanted to do something very specific for the Art Trail, and developed the laboratory idea really from the space I was loaned to show in, which was white! Also, I've shaped each toy into individual characters with their own story, for example the Owl who is blind in love, the snails tired of carrying their houses, and the sea horses who want to visit the big city. All the characters can be read about, touched and experienced in the exhibit.

2.Could you have done this work anywhere, or is it specific to E17? Did you respond to this year’s Art Trail theme ‘At Home’
I could have done the work anywhere, in fact, I am always working on creative projects, but I developed this particular idea for the Art Trail. For me, the ‘at home’ theme is integral to the project, given that all the toys were made at home, and knitting at home has always been a part of my family life back in Spain.

3.Have you participated in the E17 Art Trail before?
No, I hadn’t heard of the Art Trail until a friend introduced me to it earlier this year.

4.How does your work this year relate to your previous artistic practice?
I have been knitting for years, and also have a background in working with children, and children’s illustration. So toys and working with the childlike imagination within us all is something I have been greatly inspired by. I have also been inspired by the work of the artist, Julie Arkell, who I worked with earlier this year.

5.What challenges (if any) do you face in realising this work?
My biggest challenge is time as I work full-time. And some of the ideas I have are too ambitious for the wool medium, which can be frustrating. Knitting can be limiting.

6.Who is this work for?
The child within us all.

7.As well as being an artist what else do you do?
I enjoy seeing friends, reading children’s books for research, and I particularly enjoy shopping at flea markets.

8.What is your favourite place in E17?
My knitting chair at home! But I also love Walthamstow Village and the William Morris house.

Dr. Knit: http://www.drknitlab.blogspot.com/

Gerhard Weiss and the Waltham Forest Cycling Campaign

As the proud owner of a new bike I am totally with these guys and as my Trail Review schedule fills up I know it is going to be so much easier on 2 wheels. So .... for those of who are old enough to remember that infamous directive from Chingford..... ON YOUR BIKES!

1. Please tell us about the work you will be showing in the 2009 E17 Art Trail?
Our event will be doing two things. Firstly we want to provide a platform for anyone to show off their artistic skills. You are encouraged to not just bring your bike but to decorate it as wildly and outrageously as you like to enter our bike decorating competition. Our panel of judges will award prizes for the best entries. Secondly given the geography of the E17 Art Trail, it seems clear to us that the bicycle provides by far the best way to travel between the venues. Therefore we organise a couple of guided rides to demonstrate just how quick and easy it is to get around locally on a bike.

2. Could you have done this work anywhere, or is it specific to E17? Related to this, did you respond to this year’s Art Trail theme ‘At Home’?
Clearly our event is specific to the E17 area. Yes it could be done elsewhere, but we think that E17 is particularly conducive to cycling as the perfect way to make local journeys.

3. Have you participated in the E17 Art Trail before?
No.

4. What challenges (if any) do you face in realising this work?
We hope to really encourage people to participate. It's no easy task to decorate a bike and ride it. It takes time, preparation and creativity and we hope people will rise to the challenge.

5. Who is this work for?
Nobody in particular.

6. What is your favourite place in E17?
I cannot speak for the group as whole, but I like the High Street not for what it is, but for what it potentially could be. A buzzing shopping area that is perfectly placed to combine environmental and economic sustainability and a pleasant place to be with your friends and family.

Wendy Le Ber

1. Please tell us about the work you will be showing in the 2009 E17 Art Trail?
The work that I’m showing this year is a selection of the artists books I have been making over the last few years. They vary from more scrap book forms to folded and flag books, some photographic books, altered and painted books. They will be on show in the window of Waterstones in Selbourne Walk.

2. Could you have done this work anywhere, or is it specific to E17?

The work isn’t specific to the area or theme, but some of the books relate to particular places or events.

3. Have you participated in the E17 Art Trail before?
This is the third year I have been part of the Art Trail.

4. How does your work this year relate to your previous artistic practice?
This is the first time that I have shown my book works, I work in paint, mixed media and photography as well. Book making is probably in some ways a more personal medium for me, and shows perhaps another aspect to my thought and work. The themes I work with in all my art work have crossed over into the books, nature and the environment, the city of London and urban spaces and a spiritual dimension, informed by my Buddhist practice but also relating more generally to the wider aspects of spirituality.

5. What challenges (if any) do you face in realising this work?
Producing the books has its own particular challenges, whether it’s about selecting materials, considering narrative sequences or the particular form the book will take. As they are generally unique pieces it is not so easy to show the work in such a way that it can be seen without the possible damage of being handled a lot.

6. Who is this work for?

There was no particular audience in mind when I produced the books, generally it was more about my personal response.

7. As well as being an artist what else do you do?
As well as being an artist I also teach meditation and mindfulness methods. I have been developing and delivering courses that include creativity and meditation and courses that bring the benefits of meditation in community and business settings. I have been a Buddhist for about 16 years and was ordained in 2002, my Buddhist name is Padmayogini.

8. What is your favourite place in E17?
My favourite place is probably the gardens around Vestry House Museum.

E-mail: wendy@padmayogini.co.uk
My art website: www.padmayogini.co.uk
My blog: http://padmayogini.blogspot.com/
My mediation website also has a blog: www.calmcreate.co.uk

Maria Escarabajal

It is always interesting to see the eclectic mix of work that comes together at Beautiful Interiors and Maria Escarabajal is our first featured artist from this venue. She is also our first video artist and this is her first time in the Trail.

1. Please tell us about the work you will be showing in the 2009 E17 Art Trail?
The work I will show for the E17 Art Trail, titled Go to your Special Place consists of 3 screen dance projects that will be installed at Penny Fielding Beautiful Interiors. The 3 works are completely independent from each other although an aesthetic connection can be found. The 3 video installations are:

In your mind’s eye: A four screen dance installation with cushions to sit comfortably on the floor to view the piece. The piece is based on a hypnosis journey to understand irreversibility. The duration is 15 minutes and it will be looped.
Luminous Shadows: This is an exploration of light in the performing body and its video abstraction. This piece was used as part of the scenography for an orchestral piece of the same name by Holly Harding and it is being adapted for the Art Trail.
The Breathing Project: Based on Juan Munoz painting where a naked body is illuminated by a frontal light, this project researches choreographic devices using natural breathing, creating a hypnotic atmosphere of breathing bodies. The piece is being adapted for Penny Fielding’s shop.

2. Could you have done this work anywhere, or is it specific to E17?
The installation nature of the work demands it be adapted for every place it is shown.

3. Have you participated in the E17 Art Trail before?
I have not participated before in the E17 Art Trail.

4. How does your work this year relate to your previous artistic practice?
This work belongs to my dance screen study, developing a sense to frame the dance where there is no dance and where there is a liminality between dance and movement, video art and documentary.

5. What challenges (if any) do you face in realising this work?
The challenge is to transmit the idea that dance is not only stage and spectacle and that choreography can be found anywhere, such as in the act of breathing.

6. Who is this work for?

This work is for an open audience willing to examine and question new practices and creative processes familiar to screen dance and video art projects.

7. As well as being an artist what else do you do?
Besides creating my artistic work, I am a dance teacher and I also work in Public Relations for the Academia Nacional del Tango (UK), which is currently organising the 5th London International Tango Festival that will take place 13th, 14th and 15th November.

8. What is your favourite place in E17
My favourite place in Walthamstow is Istanbul restaurant. I love Turkish food and adore Turkish baklava.

Elly Davies

Elly Davies has been participating in the Trail since the very beginning and the creative contents of her house are essentially a lifetime’s work. A big variety of mediums and innovative uses of material, from alluvial rubbish to tree bark, provide one of those Art Trail ‘At Home’ gems. So if you are heading up or down Blackhorse Road at any time during the Trail, Elly’s Lloyd Road house is an easy and highly recommended diversion.

1. Please tell us about the work you will be showing in the 2009 E17 Art Trail?
Apart from my usual watercolour paintings,I will be showing displays of found objects,on the bank of the Thames.

2. Could you have done this work anywhere, or is it specific to E17? Did you respond to this year’s Art Trail theme ‘At Home’?
I could have done this anywhere there is water, but I am always 'At Home' for the Art Trail.

3. Have you participated in the E17 Art Trail before?
I participated right from the beginning of the art trail so this is my fifth year.

4. How does your work this year relate to your previous artistic practice?
Some years ago I got interested in the work of archaeologists,their finds and the history of it. I promised myself, one day I will do something about it, and that is now.

5. What challenges (if any) do you face in realising this work?
The challenge was to find the best way to display the items. I am still not quite sure if I have found it. Another challenge is getting people to visit me during the Trail. There are not usually any other open houses near me and people often don’t bother to come for just one.

6. Who is this work for?

I do this for myself. It is a great feeling to collect things, recreate things and display them.

7. As well as being an artist what else do you do?
I am also very interested in Antiques

8. What is your favourite place in E17?
That is my little garden and my workroom, I love both of them.

Sean Pines

The contribution of Sean Pines to the Image 17 project has already been featured but here he talks about his other Art Trail projects too.

1. Please tell us about the work you will be showing in the 2009 E17 Art Trail?
This year I will be showing personal photography projects at 3 different venues. Images of Italy at Trattoria la Ruga Restaurant, 59 Orford Road. Art trail Guide no 67 . Flamenco - Images of Spain at Orford Saloon Tapas bar, 32 Orford Road. Art trail Guide no 60. As a member of Image17 I am also showing in the group exhibition entitled 'Meet' at the Old Glass Factory 15 Hoe St. Art trail Guide no 28.

2. Could you have done this work anywhere, or is it specific to E17? Did you respond to this years Art Trail theme, ‘At Home’?
Obviously, my Spain and Italy exhibitions are what they are. I picked up the 'At Home' theme as part of the Image17 Photographers, in the form of a group project to begin documenting some the various interest and social groups who 'Meet' up on a regular basis at home in Walthamstow. This is the start of a project that we intend to expand beyond this years art trail.

3. Have you participated in the E17 Art Trail before?
Yes, in 2007 and 2008.

4. How does your work this year relate to your previous artistic practice?
Other than being photography it doesn't. Previous exhibitions have been architectural black and white photographs, of Walthamstow Village, from an exhibition I had entitled 'Village' at the Vestry House Museum back in 2005. This years 'Meet' exhibition will be my first to feature people.

5. What challenges (if any) do you face in realising this work?
My main challenge has been fitting in shoots between running my studio and Gallery in Bethnal Green, where I'm also having a portrait exhibition in October. And where the 'Meet' exhibition will be developed further and taken to in December.

6. Who is this work for?
I see the work as for all. I think everyone is surprised and fascinated by the vast amount of interest and activity groups that go on around us that we are, by and large, unaware of taking place amongst our neighbours.

But also I think it will be quite and important social documentary of people at the beginning of the 21st century who actually go out (in these times of internet 'social' networking sites) and physically meet people and interact with them.

7. As well as being an artist what else do you do?
If you mean what do I do as a living? Then, as well as my personal work, I'm a full time working photographer. If you mean what other interests do I have of my own? Then, with my wife Sharon, we host monthly wine tastings at the Nags Head Pub in the Walthamstow village, as well as being life long Spurs fans and foodies.

8. What is your favourite place in E17?
All of it! Well, as my wife and I are foodies, with a bias towards the Village area.

Della Rees

The second Arts Council Commission for new work in this year’s Trail went to Della Rees and she talks about her project below. The images she sent were taken over a period of several weeks and give a real sense of how the printmaking aspect of this project unfolds.


1. Please tell us about the project for which you received your Commission?
‘Remains of Home’ is my third site specific installation for the E17 Art Trail and I was thrilled when this project received one of the Artist's Commissions.

I began researching this project while there were still Gnomes all over the place so a year ago now. Continuing to draw inspiration from William Morris, originally I had intended the piece to consist of a band of wallpaper around the William Morris Gallery but as it is a listed building, consent couldn't be given for this. In hindsight rather than a setback, this was the best thing that could have happened as it has meant continuing the relationship with the supportive staff of Walthamstow Fire Station and the site of Morris' birth, his first Home. This also provided the opportunity to link two sites, both once the Homes of William Morris.

2. How does this work relate to your previous artistic practice?
My art practice is engaged in provoking different experiences of art, through the use of unusual sites / situations and the re appropriation of materials and processes. This manifests in 'Remains of home' as the installation of handmade wallpaper - an internal domestic item in an exterior urban setting - and the design itself contains elements often overlooked but everywhere in our urban environment. I hope the quirky nature of such a piece will surprise and engage a large audience. The cabinet in the William Morris Gallery 'Remains of Home II', provides a link between; the two sites, the two types of art venue, the two pieces, the two processes and their presentation.

3. What challenges have you encountered in realising this work?
'Remains of Home' is much larger in scale than anything I've done before and this has bought its own difficulties. Although I have worked in print before, hand wood block printing over 60 meters of two colour wallpaper is a completely different task! The initial research helped with what types of materials and their durability but other things were more problematic. Having chosen colours inspired by Morris I had to work out how much ink I would need to mix for that much printing, rig up systems for printing a block of that size without a press and then drying it, and all this was after figuring out how to get the design to work as a repeat pattern but remaining fluid, intuitive and yet wallpaper like. These difficulties overcome, the end is in site, the process of making has been hard but very enjoyable (not finished yet) and the installation will be a completely different task!

4. How cool is the E17 Art Trail?
I think the E17 Art Trail is brilliant, I really enjoy being part of it and am pleased to see it moving forward year on year. I hope Laura, Cris and everyone involved get the recognition they deserve for all their hard work!

Katherine Green and Image 17

Katherine Green was a recipient of one of the three Arts Council Commissions presented at this year’s Art Trail. The project, Image 17, is a collaborative photography project which sets out to record the diverse social activities of residents in the Borough of Waltham Forest. The project aims to create a record of local people and communities in the run up to the 2012 Olympics and will be presented for the first time at The Old Glass Factory in Hoe Street in an exhibition entitled Meet.

1. Please tell us about the project for which you were awarded the Commission?
Image 17 and its exhibition Meet, is a project that emerged out of last year’s Art Trail where I showed pictures from the Last Days at the Dogs series, which chronicles the final months in the life of the Walthamstow Stadium. The problem with doing an exhibition at home is that you have to be there yourself so don’t get much chance to see anyone else’s work. I knew there were a lot of other photographers taking part and I really wanted to see their work and vice versa. So a few of us emailed each other to arrange viewings and a small network of communication opened up among the Trail photographers. After the Trail, Stella Creasy kept suggesting that I set up a photographers circle and combining our contacts we eventually arranged a meeting in the Nags Head. So the group first came together in spring this year.

2. How did the idea of photographing societies evolve?
I had been thinking about this for a while. I am very interested in how people spend their leisure time and have always been intrigued by the community groups and societies listed in the free local newspaper. There are lots of them and certain ones like the Cactus and Succulent Society really grabbed my imagination and I wanted to see how people interacted around these small common interests. Underlying this is a deeper and ongoing exploration of communities and what actually makes a community. I love the work of August Sander, a German photographer who took portraits and documentary photographs in the first half of the 20th century. For me, his work very much inspired this project too.

3. How did it get off the ground?
I wrote a brief description and presented it as a possible idea for a group project and was overwhelmed by the response from the other photographers. Everybody got really excited about it despite the fact they come from very different photography backgrounds and in many cases this kind of project was outside of their usual practice.

Everyone chose their own groups. Sometimes they already had some connection to it and others were chosen based on their own particular interests. We asked the council to give us the list and contact details for all the societies in the paper and then just took it from there. We are still very much open for groups to get in contact with us.

4. How does your work this year relate to your previous artistic practice?
It’s definitely a continuation in terms of both subject interest and medium but working in a group for the first time has pushed me further. I have learned new technical skills from other members of the group and am now more involved in promoting the project as a whole to generate and widen interest from the community itself.

5. What challenges (if any) do you face in realising this work?
The main challenge has been managing and delegating the different aspects of the project in the context of the group. This is the first time I have worked with a group so it has been a completely new experience. Also none of us really knew each other before the group started so we all had to go through a process of getting to know how to work with each other. As with all group enterprises there are different points of view so compromises have to be reached that don’t jeopardize the integrity of the project as a whole.

6. Who is this work for?
It’s for the people involved in the societies and groups. Hopefully the project will not only help to advertise the existence of these groups but will also inspire more people to get involved.
It really feels like a celebration of the many different hobbies and pastimes found in the borough and the creativity of the people doing them. The project is also for other artists and photographers.

7. As well as being an artist what else do you do?
I run a web design company called Red Leader.

8. What is your favourite place in E17?

Vestry House, the William Morris Gallery and the market.

During the interview, Katherine noted that the members of Image 17 all come from very different photographic backgrounds and fields. As a follow up to the interview with Katherine I asked other members of Image 17 if they could also comment about their work and particular projects.

JO SEALY
1. Can you tell us a little about your own photographic history.
I run a marketing business called 'To Market' and use photography to support the marketing and writing work that I do with clients. My only formal training is through City and Guilds courses taken at the local adult education centre - Rachel I'Anson, who is part of Image 17, was my tutor. I love detail and close up images so this tends to be reflected in my work, which is moving more towards food photography.

2. What society/group are you photographing and why did you choose that particular one?

I've taken photographs of two groups:

i) The Walthamstow Literary Saloon - a reading group that is coordinated by one of the mothers at my daughter's school. They're a fun group of ladies who meet in local watering holes and don't take themselves too seriously (hence the name!).

ii) The second group is the Emanuel Christian Centre Badminton Club. They meet weekly on Saturdays at Kelmscott Leisure Centre and have a great selection of members - young and older, male and female. I came to know of them through my son. There's a great sense of community and friendship throughout the club which is extended to anyone that wants to come along for a game.

3. What challenges (if any) have you faced with this project?
Both groups meet in places where lighting was a challenge! And the badminton folk kept on moving (surprise, surprise!) However, it all adds to the atmosphere of their meetings and I think to the images.

4. How has being part of this project affected you and/or your working practice?
It's been great to work on a creative project with a group focus and no commercial thoughts in mind. It's also really useful to have a local network that you can use as as sounding board for advice and ideas.

SEAN PINES

1. Can you tell me a little about your own photographic history.
I've been interested in photography from the age of about 10. I've been a professional photographer for around 20 years and although my passion is fashion photography, I actually shoot a broad church of work from interiors to portraits as well as my art photography. I also own an Art Gallery in Bethnal Green called Gallery320 in which we exhibit not just photography but, all forms of art by various artists.

2. What society/group are you photographing and why did you choose that particular one?
The great thing about the Art trail and in turn the Image17 group that we formed earlier this year, is that it acts as a prompt to carry out projects that you may have intended to, but never quite find the time to get around to doing. The aims of the group fits perfectly. I've been thinking about photographing Pigeon Fanciers for literally, around 20 years. I perceive this to be a sporting interest that must be becoming increasingly difficult to pursue in London. I can remember seeing numerous pigeon lofts as you drove down Lea Bridge Road for example. Whilst it still strong in the country it seems to be fading in this area, although, through doing this project, I have learnt that it is still quite strong in some areas of London. It would be great if my photography could interest new people to take up the sport as Walthamstow United Pigeon Club is the oldest in the borough.

3. What challenges (if any) have you faced with this project?
My main challenge has been fitting in shoots between running my studio and Gallery in Bethnal Green, where I'm also having a portrait exhibition in October. And where the 'Meet' exhibition will be developed further and taken to in December.

4. How has being part of this project affected you and/or your working practice?
It hasn't changed the way I would shoot something, but it's been interesting working with a group in respect of seeing how others tackle the project and their respective interpretations. It's also a new experience to have to compromise on things to do with the exhibition, as obviously I usually have total control over a solo exhibition. It's been a great experience and I thank the other members of the group who have carried the majority of the legwork and administration of the show.


CLAIRE BYRNE

1. Can you tell me a little about your own photographic history.

After graduating with a BA(Hons) in Photography in '97, I started working for Arts & Events at Canary Wharf. Here, I soon found work with a local photographic company and worked as a commercial photographer in and around Canary Wharf. I have been freelancing successfully under the name 'In View Photography' for the past 4 years, and am now keen to pursue new challenges in personal projects whilst continuing my work as a commercial photographer.

2. What society/group are you photographing and why did you choose that particular one?

The group I'm photographing are Freecyclers. A recycling initiative centered within local communities. Based on the concept of 'One mans rubbish is another mans treasure', people come together online to give away there unwanted goods. Not only does this reduce land fill, but it offers a simple, fast, free and green way to get rid of unwanted goods. I chose this online community because I believe in all it stands for and I'm keen to celebrate the resourceful nature of those involved.

3. What challenges (if any) have you faced with this project?

I was unsure at the outset whether people would be keen to participate in this project. However I was bowled over by peoples response. Things can move fast on Freecycle, I think the biggest challenge is to contact people before the goods being offered are collected and on there way to a new home.

4. How has being part of this project affected you and/or your working practice?

As a commercial photographer for many years now, this project has given me the opportunity to explore photography in different light. I am thoroughly enjoying the experience and intend to continue with this project for quite some time. Being part of Image17 is a positive and stimulating experience, and enjoyable in both a professional and social sense. I'm really delighted to be part of the group.

NICOLA TREE

1. Can you tell me a little about your own photographic history.

My background is Fine Art, after completing my degree, I wanted to learn how the Photographic industry worked, I learnt printing and processing, I also assisted other photographers. I worked with Getty images as a member of their first digital imaging department using a Silicon graphic platform to digitize and retouch the libraries Photographic collections.
I now have a contract to supply my own images to Getty and have a studio where I undertake commercial and personal projects.

2. What society/group are you photographing and why did you choose that particular one?
I have chosen to the Bowls club, as it brings back memories, of my grandmother trying to teach me and my brother to bowl when we visited her as children. I have also chosen the The Pumphouse as I know little about it, but have often driven past it and wondered what it was.

3. What challenges (if any) have you faced with this project?
I have really enjoyed the project and meeting all the local people who are part of the groups.

4. How has being part of this project affected you and/or your working practice?
The whole experience has been good I feel like the other members of the group have been very committed to producing a great show but at the same time have been able to share knowledge and talent as a collective.


PAUL GREENLEAF

1. Can you tell me a little about your own photographic history.
I originally trained and worked as a designer for several years before studying photography at Central Saint Martins. Since 2006 I have been developing my artistic practice working mainly with photography.

2. What society/group are you photographing and why did you choose that particular one?
Leytonstone & District Ex-Servicemen's Club.
Leytonstone has a great history and character about it and I wanted to tap into that with this work. Established in 1922 and still thriving today the Ex-Servicemen's Club offers fantastically rich subject matter. My work develops narrative concepts combining images and words frequently utilising found objects, pictures or text as a starting point so this club, with so much heritage, was ideal.

3. What challenges (if any) have you faced with this project?

Organising time is always difficult and engaging and working with groups of people is slightly outside of what I normally do but it has proved very interesting. The members of the groups I have photographed have all been very friendly and welcoming and I'd like to thank them all for their hospitality.

4. How has being part of this project affected you and/or your working practice?
I recently moved to the area and the project presented an ideal way to get the know more about the borough and to meet other local artists and photographers. It has been great to see how others respond to the project and discuss our encounters along the way.


UDALL EVANS
1. Can you tell me a little about your own photographic history.
I studied Photography at A-Level

2. What society/group are you photographing and why did you choose that particular one?
I am photographing Parkour groups as they have fascinated me for some time.

3. What challenges (if any) have you faced with this project?
Time constraints as I have a full-time job.

4. How has being part of this project affected you and/or your working practice?

It has made me explore different aspects of how I approach my photography.

THE OTHER MEMBERS OF IMAGE 17 ARE:

James McCauley

Dan Green

Joanna Hudson

Paula Smith

Simon Warren

Martin Godfrey

Rachel I’anson

Paul Tucker

Roan Allen

The title of Roan Allen's second Art Trail show is 'We have a product malfunction'. There is a lot of interesting stuff going on here that I don't have time to think about right now. However, it has been added to my official Art Trail Blog Review list!

1. Please tell us about the work you will be showing in the 2009 E17 Art Trail?

I work with mostly “Ready Mades” objects and products quite common to us like tables and chairs. I manipulate them in various ways to explore ideas and concepts or to construct a form of narrative.

My work looks very familiar to the eye but on further engagement and interaction it reveals something else. The items I work with are varied and currently I’m working on a piece which incorporates a shoe, plank of wood, block of cheese, some cement and a toilet seat.

Also at this years Art Trail I’ll be expanding on a piece of work shown last year called “Small Words.” This consists of three images which are physical representations of the conjunctive words OR, BUT and AND. This year I will be trying to incorporate them into a paragraph from William Morris’s lecture notes “Some hints on pattern and designing”. It’s an installation and can only be properly realised on site, so time is going to be tight!

2. Could you have done this work anywhere, or is it specific to E17? Did you respond to this year’s Art Trail theme ‘At Home’?
The work is not specific to E17. No I did not respond to this years theme, but my work has always involved objects found in and around the home.

3. Have you participated in the E17 Art Trail before?
Yes, last year was my first.

4. How does your work this year relate to your previous artistic practice?

It’s business as usual, or should I say, its art as usual.

5. What challenges (if any) do you face in realising this work?

The challenges don’t come from trying to realise the work because that’s the time to get creative and that’s when the project can lead you in interesting directions. It’s the other stuff like storing work and keeping my shed tidy, getting a table through the house, in one piece, without scratching my mum’s wall paper, trying to burn a simple film file onto DVD. However, the biggest challenge was trying to find a venue; it has been a real headache. I have one now but feel this problem, of venue hunting, will be a recurring one. So after the Art Trail I’ll be looking for ways to make the process less stressful. My venue is in South Grove at the Alpha business Centre unit 29; this was only truly confirmed on the 19th August. It’s rented for 11 days, giving me 2 days to install the exhibition and at 5pm on the 13th September there will be the fastest vacation of a space you will ever see.

6. Who is this work for?

Primarily the work is for me. It’s my release and exercise. I consider it as an activity, a time to play and dream, question and explore ideas. It is also for anyone who wants to engage with it. The world would be a very boring place if people just kept their ideas to themselves.

7. As well as being an artist what else do you do?

I’m a lorry driver on the night shift.

8. What is your favourite place in E17?
It has to be Copper Mill Lane. This question prompted a revisit to confirm its status. Copper Mill Lane starts at a busy part of Walthamstow where the bottom of the High street, St James Street and Black Horse road all meet and it ends as a gravel path at a 5 foot high railway bridge in Walthamstow marshes. There’s something so magical about the transition between its start and finish. For me the total summary of Walthamstow is Copper Mill Lane.

Roan Allen http://www.roanallen.co.uk/

Jo Sealy

As well as having her own exhibition which she talks about here, Art Trail regular Jo Sealy is also part of Image 17. This is one of the Art Trail's Arts Council Commissions which I will be doing a special feature on shortly.

1. Please tell us about the work you will be showing in the 2009 E17 Art Trail?
I’ve decided to work with this year’s trail theme ‘home’ and will be showing a montage of images reflecting life in my own home. Some of the images have been taken by myself, some by my 7 year old daughter and 15 year old son.

2. Could you have done this work anywhere, or is it specific to E17? Did you respond to this year’s Art Trail theme ‘At Home’?
I suppose that because it’s quite a personal family piece it could have been done anywhere but there are touches like the flower beds at the base of trees in our area and the local woods that make it particular to Walthamstow. We’re also lucky enough to be on the edge of the forest and have very few actual houses on our road, so it is special.

3. Have you participated in the E17 Art Trail before?
This is the third time that I am participating in the show. I’ve become more confident with each event. I think that because it’s open to both professionals, amateurs, hobbyists, whoever, that there’s less pressure to produce something absolutely exhibition perfect – unless you want to, of course!

However, this year I am also participating as part of Image 17, a photography group, in the group exhibition Meet. It’s about documenting some of the huge range of local groups, societies, clubs and we have in the borough. I must admit that I do feel more stressed about this. Apart from exhibiting with my peers, outsiders will also be scrutinising the work photographically. It’s scary, but in an exciting way.

4. How does your work this year relate to your previous artistic practice?
I suppose that the work this year and last are connected by things close to me – ‘home’ is translated directly as my own surroundings. Last year’s project, called Forty Lives, related to my friends, all in their forties, and the things we’re experiencing at this time. Forty Lives is really an ongoing study, taking images of women in their forties and gathering information on their life stories so far together with their ambitions for the future. I’d like to develop this into an exhibition in its own right. The irksome problem of earning a living just gets in the way! Prior to that my first exhibition featured images that played with light and texture through glass and plants and was me exploring what I could do with my camera combined with an area of interest.

5. What challenges (if any) do you face in realising this work?
Time! When preparations for the Trail began in the spring I was thinking, there’s lots of time and here we are with just a couple of weeks to go and I’m still agonising over which images to include in the montage!

6. Who is this work for?
This year, it’s really just for me and my family. It’s an opportunity to create something that I will be able to hang at home and give to family and friends. Lots of ordinary people come along to the trail and hopefully they’ll recognise some of the situations in their own homes – kids playing with grandparents, opening Christmas presents, exhausted Dad sleeping, dressing up …

That’s the great thing about the Trail – no matter what level you’re operating at, just taking part and showing your work is a great thrill.

7. As well as being an artist what else do you do?
I work as a marketing consultant, using my writing and photography work to help businesses promote themselves more effectively. Many of my clients are in the creative industries and food sectors.

8. What is your favourite place in E17?
Can’t think of just one! Apart from where I live near Greenway Woods, it’s probably Walthamstow Market – whether you’re feeling flush or on a budget, there’s something for everyone!

Jo Sealy http://www.josealyphotography.com/

Amanda Parker

Mosaics always make me think about time. Firstly, the amount of time historically that this particular art form has been with us, and secondly the amount of the time it must take to compose them! Amanda Parker's are no exception and the image sequence here gives a sense of the compositional process as well.


1. Please tell us about the work you will be showing in the 2009 E17 Art Trail?
I have an exhibition of decorative mosaic panels at Health Works Complimentary Health Clinic on Hoe Street (No 33 on the Art Trail Map). These are suitable for both interior or exterior environments and I will be at the venue during the Art Trail to advise on private commissions and educational projects.

I also have a large mosaic panel, on display at Stoneydown Park Primary School, Pretoria Avenue, E17, which was created by a group of 10 year old children. This has been installed on the exterior of the school and can only be seen from the park walkways. (No 5 on the Art Trail Map)

2. Could you have done this work anywhere, or is it specific to E17? Did you respond to this year’s Art Trail theme ‘At Home’?
I work all over London, so it is not specific to LBWF. I related to the theme of "At Home", in as much as the exhibition was actually created in my home environment, with some of the natural elements of my garden being reflected in the choice of subject matter.....plants, flowers, fish, butterflies, etc.

3. Have you participated in the E17 Art Trail before?
Yes, I participated in the 2008 Art Trail

4. How does your work this year relate to your previous artistic practice?
It represents a development of my creative skills, with an ongoing exploration of new styles and techniques.

5. What challenges (if any) do you face in realising this work?
Mosaics are very time consuming to create, due to the processes involved, and with a busy working life, "time management" is my greatest challenge.

6. Who is this work for?
Anyone interested in the creative arts

7. As well as being an artist what else do you do?
I am an Arts Manager for The Creative Arts Company, who create large scale arts projects, that build stronger communities and support the regeneration of urban environments. Further details via : http://www.thecreativeartscompany.com/

8. What is your favourite place in E17?
William Morris House, for the inspiring textiles and beautiful tiles........
The house is also very atmospheric and you get a real sense of its cultural importance.