Running in parallel with the major literature exhibition, Writing Britain: Wastelands to Wonderlands the exhibition Writing London, created by young people living in supported accommodation learning centres, is a display of photography and creative writing exploring London.
Working alongside London poet Charlie Dark and photographer Sara Haq, eight participants have produced new photography and creative writing linked to the key themes of Writing Britain. The group also met with Library staff responsible for producing the literature exhibition, learning about the processes involved from the design to the final build and curating their own show.
EnlargeThe launch of this display marks the beginning of a national project, funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, which will extend to libraries around the country, including Newcastle City Library, Leeds Central Library, Norwich & Norfolk Millennium Library and Bristol Central Library. It aims to engage young people aged 16 – 24 outside of formal education in library collections while enabling participants to bring fresh perspectives and interpretations to those collections.
Roger Walshe, Head of Public Engagement and Learning at the British Library, says:
“It has been fascinating to see the ideas, experiences and original perspectives that the young people involved in this project have brought to the British Library and its collections. It has also been very rewarding for us to help them develop their interests in arts and culture – an interest which we hope will stay with them personally and professionally as they move forward. We are now very excited to take this project further and develop similar displays across the country in response to the Writing Britain exhibition.”
The exhibition will run for the duration of Writing Britain and can be found in the public areas of the British Library.
If you or any young people would be interested in being part of the longer term project at the British Library or in the regions please contact learning@bl.uk for more information.
