The London Fields Lido has transformed its reception into an art gallery to celebrate local talent, with an exhibition by Hackney-based artist and architect Ben Kilburn.
Kilburn, who has lived in the borough for over 20 years, draws inspiration from the people and places around him.
“What inspires me…[is] my environment: places I go, people I see, things I talk about”, he said. “I am soaking up the Hackney vibe and the interesting juxtaposition between the urban and natural side [of Hackney]”. His latest exhibition, a series of abstract works, showcases this duality.
Kilburn described his creation process as “a certain amount of layering”, something which he feels mirrors the landscape of his local area.
He chose London Fields Lido as the venue for his latest exhibition due to its commitment to showcasing local artists as well as its role as a community hub.
Kilburn hopes that displaying the art in such a public space will allow visitors to encounter his art unexpectedly. “The most important thing”, he said, “is that there is a depth to the work which means that different people can see different things in the pictures”. He believes that the venue choice helps make his work more accessible to a wider range of people, noting that “some people may find it awkward to go into a gallery to look at work, particularly if it is quiet”.
