Fellowship: Hannah Whittaker

Artist: Hannah Whittaker
Date: Summer 2019
Location: St Margaret’s, Woodhouse Rd, Leytonstone E11 3NG

Summary
Initiated with an aim to build relationships between Waltham Forest churches and the communities which surround them through the medium of contemporary art, this project comprised four artists commissions realised in four churches in Waltham Forest. The project aimed to tap into wider enthusiasm for cultural activity taking place in the Borough due to Waltham Forest being named the first London Borough of Culture for 2019.

Appointed artists were briefed to work with the communities in and around their host churches to develop and realise their work. A+C aimed to foster enduring relationships between the churches and their local communities through this and other projects, equipping clergy and lay-people with confidence to host exhibitions and arts events in the future. All four artists produced or reconfigured site-responsive installations in response to the theme ‘fellowship’, one of the Waltham Forest Borough of Culture designated themes. Where possible, the installations were affiliated with larger arts programmes in order to increase visibility; Emma Smith’s commission was part of Art Night London, while Victoria Burgher and Hannah Whittaker’s commissions were featured in the Leytonstone Art Trail. 

Context
This project was conceived in response to the news that Waltham Forest was to be London’s first Borough of Culture during 2019. The Borough of Culture programme attracted over 100,000 people to participate in cultural activities in the borough, varying from major projects such as the Walthamstow Garden Party, organised by the Borough, to the 125 community-led cultural activities which were financially supported by the Council. This included the hosting of Art Night London, London’s largest contemporary art festival which commissions artists to produce new work in out-of-gallery locations in a different part of the capital each year.

Description
The project was made possible by a grant from London Over the Border,  which covered the artist fees and materials for the Lead Artist and three Associate Artists.

The Lead Artist, Emma Smith, was appointed following an invitation-only call for proposals, while the three Associate Artists were appointed following an open call widely advertised on artist’s news sites such as a-n and the Arts Council jobs page. Interviews were conducted by a small panel comprising A+C staff and an A+C trustee. 

Hannah Whittaker produced a large, vibrant floor installation, Parquet Picioare which was installed in the chancel at St Margaret’s Church Leytonstone. The installation was inspired by the concept of the dance floor and each individual tile bore the footprint of a member of the church’s congregation and wider community, with the overall pattern influenced by Romanian design in recognition of the Romanian Orthodox congregation based at St Margaret’s.