Lemn Sissay: Sparked exhibition
Spark Catchers exhibition at the View Tube
Lemn Sissay (MBE) was the first poet commissioned to write one of five new poems to feature as permanent installations on the Olympic Park. Inspired by the history of the site, Lemn created Spark Catchers a striking poem referencing the pioneering industrial action which took place at East London’s Bryant and May match factory, visible from View Tube on the far side of the warm-up ground.
In 1888, radical journalist Annie Besant published the article ‘White Slavery In London’. In it, Besant highlighted the poor working conditions, low wages and a system of fines and deductions imposed on the match workers.
After publication, three women from the factory were sacked for speaking to Besant. The match workers promptly went on strike, the first by un-unionised workers. With Besant’s help, the strike gained national attention and the matchmaker’s demands were eventually met, helping to create the first union for women workers.
As Spark Catchers highlights, East London has been instrumental in shaping social and industrial history. Evolving from the spirit of the poem the exhibition welcomes the Olympics to the East End, adding another remarkable layer to this location’s rich historical narrative.
Just as the matchmakers inspired hope amongst Britain’s workers, motivating them to make a stand for ethical principles, so the Olympic Games inspire a global population to come together, be the best they can be, and celebrate the Olympic Values of: striving for excellence, demonstrating respect and celebrating friendship.
Spark Catchers will be etched into a wooden structure in the north of the Olympic Park, housing one of the main electricity transformers.
Sissay's Sparked exhibition at View Tube, produced by a team from Jotta, celebrates this inspirational story and East London's rich heritage as it welcomes the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Sparked is a series of exhibitions from View Tube Art, inspired by Art in the Park, the Olympic Delivery Authority programme of public art commissions in the London 2012 Olympic Park. It is supported by Bow Arts and funded by The Legacy List. As well as create all the films, I also managed the exhibition series alongside curator Rosie Murdoch. Artist in residence for the Olympic Park Neville Gabie and artistic duo Tomas Klassnik and Riitta Ikonen were showcased in the first two exhibitions.