Initial Research - Willesden Green Library

My initial research began by looking at the venue in which Fashioning Our History will be exhibited, Willesden Green Library. 
The building itself is a newly renovated public space that hosts a library as well as a public gallery. Although the interior is modern in design, it's Victorian heritage is still able to be seen through its antique façade. 

The exhibition will be held in the gallery's main atrium/reception area which has an open-plan layout. Whereas the workshops and lectures will be held in the education and conference rooms, turning the library into a creative hub.

The library also contains the Brent Museum and archives which myself and Warren will be using to inform the Fashioning Our History exhibition. The archives hold historical records consisting of photographs, newspaper clippings etc dating back to 1870 which reflect domestic and working life in Brent from 1850. The founding collection of which was left to Brent borough in 1937 by Victorian antiquarian Titus Barham.

As a postgraduate student studying in Manchester, I wasn't already aware of too much about Brent however some quick research showed me that Brent is a considerably ethically diverse area with 33% of the population being South Asian, 19% African and Caribbean, 18% White British, 18% White, 7% as other and 5% Mixed. Brent's current and historical diversity is a very important aspect of Fashioning Our History that we will aim to highlight throughout the curation. As a white curator, there may be limitations in how I can achieve this however the work that will be exhibited will be made by a group that reflects Brent's diversity and will be influenced by the area's diverse history.


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