THE NEXT GEN:
THE PECKHAM PORTRAITS
ONE OF THE UK’S LONGEST RUNNING
SITE-SPECIFIC PHOTOGRAPHIC PUBLIC ART EXHIBITIONS
Building on the success of the ‘Peckham Portraits’ and reacting to the impact of our relevance in this time of change, we are creating a new and current version of portraits. The new series of portraits has the working title ‘The Next Gen’.
Once again the images have been captured by our Artistic Director Franklyn Rodgers. The new collection expands on the legacy of the now iconic original portraits and underpin our core beliefs in the intrinsic value of being inspired.
We want all who engage with our work, especially young people, to see possibility and reflection of themselves in The Next Gen collection through the inspirational paths our artists have chosen.
Our aim is to celebrate the eclectic and dynamic range of cultural contributors whose talent and skills contribute to positive notions of activism around identity and representation. We will work with people who share our vision to connect to the stories that shape us.
Chidera Eggerue
What does it mean to be part of the
UNDEREXPOSED ARTS alumni?
“It feels incredible and such an honour to join the UNDEREXPOSED ARTS tribe. To be part of
such an incredible alumni, as growing up, I remember seeing the original photoset displayed
in Peckham and I would on a daily basis pass those images on the bus 63 going to secondary
school. I would always tell myself I can be like Idris Elba one day or I could be like Ashley
Walters they’ve come from somewhere like me and seeing these images constantly keeps it
in the back of my mind that I can get to where I want to get to. So, it feels like a very strange
full circle moment to be sat having my portrait taken for a photo set that once inspired me,
which means that the job was done very well by UNDEREXPOSED ARTS and the aim was met
which was to inspire young people to dream beyond the barriers that were set on them”.
Harry Pinero
What does it mean to be part of the
UNDEREXPOSED ARTS alumni?
“Joining the UNDEREXPOSED ARTS collective is, I don’t even know if there are words for it,
its possibly one of my biggest achievements because the names that are there before me
are names that I didn’t even think I had any connection to in the beginning. I felt like I had to
do something extraordinary, but to be able to be myself, be able to work hard and focus on
my craft and not forget the community I came from whilst always trying to give something
back, and for that to be seen and respected is second to none. When the opportunity came,
I didn’t even have to think about it, I was like yes, yes can we do this now, tomorrow are we
free? I think this experience is something that is going to stay with me forever. To be
respected in your own community is also second to none, the hard work and everything I
have worked for, these are the moments that you live for. I don’t live for awards but when
you they do come for things like this, you have to really take it in and I’m still overwhelmed,
I have to pinch myself to see if its real.
When I was young, I would see the portraits and I was like WOW, we have this in Peckham,
other areas had other things, but we got this in Peckham, seeing Idris Elba, Ashley Walters
and Jocelyn Jee Esien these are legends.
I remember getting the bus 381 from Peckham to Bermondsey, I would see them all the
time. Then when they went away, I thought typical another gentrification. Then the building
(mountview) was built with those same pictures on them and I think it gave us a sense that
we are stronger than what they want us to be, they can try and lock us out, but this is our
home, this is where we belong. Anyone who knows what Peckham is, its Black, Black
excellence. For us to have these spaces and create these spaces is amazing.
UNDEREXPOSED ARTS allow people to believe
