Arts for all
A new arts festival is set to bring the cultural heritage of Askew Road to life this month.
The first-ever Askew Road Arts Festival is launching on Wednesday 18 September with a packed programme of events for all the family.
Running until 25 September around the bustling street in Shepherds Bush, the new festival will showcase the vibrant artistic and cultural spirit of Askew Road from past to present.
Ceramics, textile installations, music and creative workshops are set to bring magic to the street as local artists, writers and businesses join forces for the debut event.
With the area’s Starch Green open space transformed into a festival village on Saturday 21 September, the focus is on family-friendly fun.
Dubbed Gaggle Goose Green for the event – highlighting the park’s historic name – the festival hub will feature Morris dancing, face painting and an author-inspired scavenger hunt.
What's on?
Local children’s author Molly Arbuthnott will launch the festival’s Wild Goose Chase that day, inspired by her latest book about a goose called Jennifer and her adventures in Askew Road.
Families can visit a series of 10 shops along Askew Road to collect stamps and a goose feather, before returning to the green for a mask-making session. Along the way, festival goers can check out the array of artistic-themed activities which are running throughout the week.
Askew Gallery, at 159 Askew Road, is hosting two exhibitions throughout the festival from 12pm-5pm. Local artist Clare McAuley has captured the essence of Askew Road’s character through a 30ft textile piece, adorning an entire wall of the new gallery, which is located at CP Architects.
The gallery is also featuring an exhibition titled Then & Now, by photographer Harriet Challis, who has created a journey through time with historic archive images of the Askew Road neighbourhood, alongside new pictures of the same view today.
At Kite Studios, in Bassein Park Road, an exhibition of work by neurodiverse artists will take place on Thursday 19 September from 6.30pm-8.30pm, while the following day the studio will run drop-in art and clay workshops for children from 3.30pm-5.30pm.
Kite Studios – the former home of Jamaican model Fanny Eaton – will also host a talk with author Angela Bolger, who wrote the play Out of the Picture - the Fanny Eaton Story.
The playwright will share the story of Fanny’s life in Victorian London, including how she modelled at the Royal Academy, where her afro hair and distinctive features enchanted artists including Dante Gabriel Rossetti and John Everett Millais.
Community spirit
Organised by the Askew Road Business Association (ARBA) and supported by H&F Council, the festival aims to foster community spirit and help local charities including West London Action for Children, the Sulgrave Youth Club, and the Upper Room.
Local artist Tessa Brown has been involved with the festival’s development, and is creating an artwork installation called Laundry Lines aimed at shining a spotlight on the area’s historic laundries.
The intriguing installation will be sited on Askew Road, with specially-created garments and graphics that will last the length of the festival.
“Over the summer, the festival has brought together businesses, community groups, artists and members of the wider community to create a wonderful event," Tessa explained, who has been working alongside festival curator Kate Fishenden and other local business owners to create the event.
“Hopefully there will be something for everyone and a chance to find common cultural ground among friends and neighbours.”
History and culture
Eagle-eyed visitors can try to spot ceramicist Linda Bloomfield’s Ghost Tiles in nooks and crannies along Askew Road – creating the effect of archaeological remnants of history past using the theme of bricks, rabbits, orchards and laundries.
Kate Fishenden, festival curator, explains: “Our artists have passionately responded to Askew Road’s history, culture, and lived experience. Their work resonates deeply with our community.”
Meanwhile, the team at Forevermore Tattoo will be creating special Askew Road temporary tattoos to celebrate the arts festival, while Peckings Records are putting together an evocative playlist for Askew Road – charting the Reggae music most important to founder George ‘Peckings’ Price.
The festival also features the Bouncing off the Wall graphics art fair at modernist architect Erno Goldfinger-designed Greenside Primary School in nearby Westville Road.
The free art fair on Sunday 22 September will bring together artists, prints, printmakers and books inspired by twentieth century design, as well as a vintage tea room.
Philippa Smith, chair of Askew Road Business Association, adds: “We are thrilled about the range of events, from captivating artist installations to thought-provoking talks and it’s great so many Askew Road businesses are involved. There’s truly something for everyone.”
Find out more about all the arts festival’s events and activities at the Askew Road W12 website.
