This page showcases our past achievements and upcoming goals, highlighting collaborative projects and our vision for the East London Mindful Photography Festival.
All photos and videos are from past projects with our partners, reflecting collaborations with underrepresented communities, local artists, researchers, and volunteers.
Inspiring Young Creators
Building confidence and creative skills by connecting with community leaders through collaborative portraiture sessions, fostering local pride and cultural engagement at Hackney Young.
Celebrating Diverse Voices
Freelance artist Sylvie empowers underrepresented communities to shape the festival’s narrative through collaborative photography.
Freelance artists, researchers, and local partners will lead the festival’s workshops, empowering participants to shape the festival, build creative skills, and foster cultural pride.
Pierre Bureau
Founder of Mindful Photo Lab, French-Ethiopian cultural connector.
Yarrow Films
Production company supporting purpose-driven stories on health, well-being, and inequality.
Lotje Sodderland
Neurodivergent advocate and artist.
Sylvie Belbouab
Muslim social documentary photographer.
Maria Turri
Senior Lecturer in Creative Arts and Mental Health at Queen Mary University of London.
Shahena Begum
An artist of Bengali descent, inspired by urban architecture, community, and local history.
Chiho Sharp
Environmental educator promoting hands-on sustainability skills for young people and families.
Clare Smith
Artist driven by social justice, spirituality, and the natural environment.
Expressing Through Movement and Creativity
Connecting with Green Spaces for Well-being
Art as a Path to Recovery
I loved the projects and meeting other participants—it was my first chance to reconnect after two and a half years of isolation working from home. This workshop has been the best thing for my mental health, helping me to reset and feel more positive. These courses should definitely be available on the NHS!
Theresa
Transforming Shared Spaces with Art
Involving Young People in Creative Projects
By connecting local people with businesses and markets, we breathe new life into these spaces, creating vibrant hubs that foster community pride and a deeper sense of belonging.
During our workshops, we connect local people with businesses, markets, and public spaces to exchange stories and increase footfall.
Here, Anna meets a shopkeeper in Bethnal Green who has run a corner shop for 43 years, sharing his incredible journey from India to Kenya and finally to the UK.
Collaborating for Community Insights
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London, led by Dr. Maria Turri, will collaborate with participants through the Key Ingredients project. This research explores the essential elements of creative health practices in supporting communities, focusing on the role of non-profits, artists, and social prescribing in fostering well-being, cultural engagement, and social cohesion.
Research to Measure Impact
In partnership with Yarrow Films and Tower Hamlets Council, we collaborated on Memories of Tower Hamlets, using creative storytelling to support underrepresented communities in sharing their stories. This project highlights our commitment to community engagement and explores the social impact of celebrating local heritage.
Check out our previous research film with the University of Sussex to see our approach to capturing community narratives and exploring cultural resilience.
Dr. Maria Turri advocates for reform in mental health through artistic projects that rethink mainstream practices. She co-leads the Key Ingredients research with Mindful Photo Lab and Poplar Union, exploring what makes creative health practices effective. As co-convener of the ‘Mad Hearts’ conference, she brings together clinical, artistic, and research perspectives to reshape mental health practice.
Celebrating Community Stories and Impact
The exhibition will feature collaborative artworks and stories from both professional artists and community members, inviting audiences to engage with diverse voices and experiences.
Interactive Conversations with Creators
It will include opportunities for visitors to engage in conversations with artists, researchers, and community contributors, fostering dialogue and deeper connections around the showcased works and themes.
This photo captures our collaboration with Yarrow Film during the exhibition at Tower Hamlets Town Hall.
An Interactive Exploration of Stories, Research, and Creative Reflections
The exhibition will provide an opportunity for audiences to learn, discuss, and discover. Our publication will showcase creative outcomes, research findings, and stories from underrepresented voices, celebrating the community’s contributions and impact.
Showcasing Collaborative Art from Community and Professional Artists
Co-authored portrait of Adiam by Pierre Bureau, showcasing how the festival will highlight diverse narratives through collaborations between professional artists and community members, exploring the intersection of creative health and cultural heritage.