Dickensian fashion extravaganza comes to Morley Gallery
The Ragshow Edition is the third in a series of the four 'Dickens News' exhibitions. Running from Friday 1 –Wednesday 13 February, the exhibition will showcase the textile and visual art work of CoolTan artists.
The modern twist on Victorian dress will shed new light on Dickens' most famous characters, from Miss Havisham to Nancy. Prints, drawing, paintings and written work will also examine the authors work in relation to poverty, mental health and Southwark itself.
From their base in Walworth Rd, CoolTan Arts run a varied programme of creative workshops which promote positive mental health and wellbeing through arts education.
Adrian Whyatt, project volunteer said of participating in the project: - "This has deepened and extended my knowledge of the area and its centrality to London as a whole. It has shown that the issues raised by Dickens, especially around poverty and social exclusion and mental health, inequality and exploitation are becoming more and more relevant in the present day".
Michelle Baharier, CEO of CoolTan Arts, said: "CoolTan Arts chose to develop this Dickens project to revaluate where we are more than 150 years on from the Lunacy Acts. Dickens himself campaigned to improve the lives of people with mental distress. Today CoolTan Arts would have made a great stopping point for Dickens as he could have joined and supported us in our work".