In collaboration with HealTogether CIC, IROKO Theatre Company delivered barehand clay modelling workshop for the local community on 25th January 2024 at Canning Town Library in Newham, East London. The event was part of the community outreach programme of the Home from Home project, funded by the Heritage Fund. The participants, mostly from HealTogether CIC, a Somali led organisation providing access to mental health support, enjoyed a relaxing session fashioning objects inspired by African artefacts and traditions.
L-R Neema, Fola & Alex at clay modelling.
The workshop was led by Folasade Babarinde from Abundance Arts. She gave a demonstration on how to use the clay as well as ideas for inspiration such as modelling the IROKO Tree. The women produced a variety of pieces that reflected memories from their homelands. The finished products ranged from clay models of traditional kitchen utensils, textiles and of course the reimagined IROKO Tree.
The women produced a variety of pieces that reflected memories from their homelands.
The finished products ranged from clay models of traditional kitchen utensils, textiles and of course the reimagined IROKO Tree.
As the women created, they burst into an impromptu song and dance session accompanied with drumming by the HfH Project Director, Alex Oma-Pius. The energy and laughter shared by the participants provided a fitting end to an uplifting and therapeutic joint session. One of the participants asked: “Can we do this every week?”.
Photography: Joseph Obasi
