Queer Global Heritage Lab – Exhibition Co-Creation at Chiswick House

Join us for a creative workshop at Chiswick House & Gardens, exploring the often-overlooked histories of queer & people of colour/global ethnic majority in heritage spaces. This event is part of the Queer Global project, a project celebrating the cultural heritage of LGBTQ+ people of colour and queer migrants in West London.

Historically, grand estates like Chiswick House were spaces of power and exclusion, often inaccessible to marginalised communities. Together, we will reimagine and reclaim this space by engaging with its history and making our own mark through storytelling and art. The work we co-produce will be exhibited at Chiswick House and Gardens in Autumn!

Schedule for Day 1 - (12th April) - Idea Generation / Experiments

🕚 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Intros & Context
• Intros & Ice Breakers
• Introduce focus of the three workshops - narratives (migration/chosen family/safe spaces) and personal mythologies & discuss artist examples

🥗 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch & Discussion
Enjoy a provided meal while reflecting on workshop themes and upcoming art work production

🎨 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Tableaux Scenes
• Participants to stage tableaux scenes based on a memory, using the surroundings/ props/ artefacts etc of Chiswick House and Gardens.
• These will be filmed and photographed on 16mm film, and/ or polaroids/ digital cameras

Schedule for Day 2 - (19th April )

🕚 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Compositions & Drawing
• Silk Painting Introduction – Explore artist examples and techniques.
• Composition Planning – Participants sketch their designs onto large sheets, preparing for silk application

🥗 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch & Discussion
Enjoy a provided meal while reflecting on compositional techniques and storytelling through visual art

🎨 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Silk Drawing
• Participants transfer their compositions onto silk.
• Gutta Application – Drawing gutta lines to outline and define their designs

🗣️ 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM | Reflection & Next Steps
• Group discussion on process and how today’s work will contribute to the final exhibition

Schedule for Day 3 - (April 26th)

🕚 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Painting & Techniques
• Introduction to Painting Techniques – Exploring methods for working with silk and other materials
• Hands-on Painting – Participants begin adding colour and detail to their compositions

🥗 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch & Discussion
Enjoy a break while reflecting on the role of colour, texture, and form in storytelling

🎨 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Completing the Work & Critique
• Final Painting – Participants complete their artwork.
• Critique & Celebration – Group discussion and reflection on the creative journey, with a celebration of completed works

🗣️ 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM | Closing Reflections & Filming
• Documenting the Process – Capture moments on 16mm film from this and previous workshops to contribute to a final film piece

Important Information:
✅ This is a free event, but spaces are limited. Please only RSVP if you can commit to all three sessions.
📸 The event will be photographed and filmed for documentation and exhibition purposes. You can opt out of being recorded.
🎟️ RSVP required – secure your spot now!
This project was made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.
We look forward to sharing this experience with you! 🌈✨