I was very greatful to be invited back to collaborate with the young people of Hogarth Youth Club for a second year.
This years project celebrated 300 hundred years of design and focused on re-interpreting architectal and decorative designs of Chiswick Houses through a diverse and colourful lense.
Working along side historian Nadege Forde-Vidal, we uncovered the fascinating design history of the 18th century Neo-Palladian Roman-style Chiswick House.
Nadege’s research uncovered that the white and gold we commonly see and have come to believe as being preferred by ancient Romans was not the order of the day. These historical designs would have been awash decoration and colour, influenced by African/Egyptian, Asian and Middle Eastern designs.
Our workshops explored colour, it’s history, the making, the meanings and how these have changed over time. We also discovered more about the detailed designs used through out the house and the ancient historical meanings.
Through the final creation we tried to make visible these design elements that originate and are inspired by African/Egyptian design and culture. The young people infused their own contemporary ideas and identities in the work, resulting in a two colourful and detailed panels, reflecting historical and contemporary design including hieroglyphic text that visitors can decode and a poem by one of the participants.
