In their collaboration for this exhibition, Elena Juzulenaite and Renata Druskyte bring together the traditions of folk art and contemporary creative practices.

Renata is a craftsperson and educator. In this exhibition, she blends photography and handcraft to present photographic objects inspired by both Lithuanian and English folk art. Among the showcased pieces is the “Delmonas”—a decorated pocket traditionally part of Lithuanian folk costumes—and its English counterpart, an ornate pocket worn in 18th-century England. Renata reimagined this item with a contemporary twist, crafting it from photographs she took. For the “Delmonas,” she used a photograph taken in Lithuania, while the English pocket features an image captured in England. Through these pieces, Renata shares her story as someone shaped by mixed cultural influences.

Elena, a visual artist with a focus on community engagement, brings her own artistic practice into this collaboration. Inspired by Renata’s expertise in national costume traditions, Elena created her own “Delmonas” under Renata’s guidance. For her design, she incorporated a photograph of her childhood home—a Soviet-era block of flats—charging the piece with personal and cultural significance. The “Delmonas” she crafted will hold a special place as part of her wedding attire.

Elena and Renata’s collaboration also includes cyanotype prints on fabric, made using plants native to Lithuania, adding another layer of cultural connection. Their installation reflects a direct link to nature, an essential part of both their Lithuanian heritage and their lives in Newham, a borough known for its diversity and public spaces where communities come together.

Together, Elena and Renata explore the dialogue between tradition and modernity, inviting viewers to consider how cultural practices and personal histories evolve. They create a meaningful visual conversation that speaks to both their shared Lithuanian roots and their experiences as part of Newham’s vibrant community. Their work celebrates the power of craft and photography to connect generations and communities, offering a new perspective on tradition in a contemporary context.

Directed by German-Ukrainian filmmaker Miriam and produced by Polish producer Ella Natalia Hopkins, the films follow Paulina Korobkiewicz and Elana Juzulenaite on their journeys as workshop facilitators. These two short documentaries explore creativity, connection, and migration within Newham, offering glimpses into the artists’ lives as they move through Newham.

Ella, who also participated in the sessions, takes viewers from Peckham, where Paulina is based, to Beckton, where she led the workshop. Elana, a community artist living on a boat, is followed to Silvertown, where she works as Arts and Community Lead at the Reinstate Project. Together, these stories provide an insight into their creative process and connection to the borough.

The documentaries celebrate the spirit of collaboration, shining a light on the creativity of migrants and the rich cultural fabric of Newham.

Directed by Miriam | Produced by Ella Natalia Hopkins | Edited by Sam Hopkins | Colour Grade by Kat Przado (LNDN) | Camera Rental: Moonshine Film Limited – Jack Smith, Kosta, Alfie Peter | Lens Rental: Cooke Optics Limited – Cooke Logo, Carey Duffy, Genevieve Subbotin, Joe Woolley | Special Thanks: Kit Mackenzie, Conor Chalk

Zoltan Varga, a Hungarian photographer based in London, explores shared experiences that bind communities together. A graduate of the University of Wales, Newport, with a degree in Documentary Photography, Zoltan’s practice is grounded in long-term projects that foster close relationships with his subjects, providing an intimate perspective on social and cultural narratives.

For this exhibition, Zoltan’s work reflects his personal connection to Newham, an area that has become home to many, including Veronika, a Lithuanian immigrant who has lived there since 2016. His photographs follow Veronika’s journey as she navigates life in Newham, intertwined with moments of community interaction and celebration. Presented as a collage of prints in various sizes, the work captures the spirit of the neighbourhood.

Zoltan portrays Veronika’s experiences of building a life in Newham—from teaching yoga at the local Phoenix Gym to hosting meditation and mindfulness sessions for members of the local community at the Well Bean Café.

Through his lens, Zoltan invites viewers to celebrate the bonds that make Newham a place where diversity thrives and friendships are formed. He attended local events, such as those at Clapton Football Club, and visited flea markets, where he captured portraits of the community. These simple gatherings transcend cultural differences, fostering lasting connections and mutual understanding.

The prints in this installation—ranging from intimate to expansive—serve as fragments of these shared moments. Together, they form a larger narrative of community and integration, reflecting and celebrating the strength found in embracing diversity.

„I moved to the area in 2016 1st of July with my family, when the area was just starting to develop. So I saw new buildings growing and many new people moving into the area. I joined the local Lithuanian/Ukrainian gym Phoenix Gym, which is in my yard, with the possibility to teach my yoga classes, which I am very grateful for. Thank you to Rytis and Mariana, who are the owners of the place. Later on connected with my favourite place now, Well Bean Cafe, where I started hosting a Meditation & Mindfulness club for the community and started teaching more yoga classes, workshops, and day retreats for Newham people. A beautiful community grew up where we meet, for practice weekly, and happily have more visitors coming from other areas & cities to sense the friendliness and friendships we have. When I miss a taste of India, there’s a lovely Indian restaurant just next to “Namaste”. The neighbourhood is really friendly, full of diversity and beautiful community events, extremely grateful and happy to live here. Very welcome for new people to join us.” - Veronika

Nesd, originally from Lithuania, is currently based in Newham. She uses photography as a tool to reflect on her environment, creating work that explores themes of community, nature, and belonging. Her creative practice is deeply rooted in observation and connection, capturing moments that speak to shared experiences and the beauty of everyday life.

For this exhibition, Nesd has created a tablecloth featuring a collage of photographs taken in the borough. The format of the tablecloth reflects the spirit of the workshops, where participants gathered, sat together, and engaged in discussions about identity, place, and the local area. We all collaborated on this tablecloth, from the initial idea to sitting and sewing it together. It invites the audience to do the same—to take a seat, reflect, and consider their own relationship with community and belonging. Nesd’s photographs document public spaces in Newham where people gather for events, participate in community projects, and celebrate the area’s rich multicultural tapestry. Her work captures these moments of togetherness, highlighting the connections that emerge in shared spaces and the sense of unity that defines the neighbourhood.

Accompanying the tablecloth are fabric prints of Nesd’s flower portraits. These works reveal her love for nature and her ability to find beauty in unexpected places. Living in busy Newham, Nesd has developed a keen eye for elements of nature in public spaces, treating flowers as unique characters with their own stories to tell.

By combining these elements, Nesd’s work celebrates both the intimate and the communal, encouraging viewers to pause, reflect, and engage with the world—and the people—around them.