to us it means

A photographic and sound exhibition created with community members in Burnt Oak and the surrounding areas, exploring ideas and thoughts on freedom through personal stories and shared histories.

Weaving together the past and the present this exhibition looks at the journey of resilience, care and solidarity within these communities.

Through the mediums of photography, archival materials and sound installation, this exhibition brings together a rich tapestry of experiences and local voices.

Commissioned by artsdepot, To Us It Means was curated by myself and photographer Bettina Adela. It wass part of Our Freedom: Then and Now, a nationwide programme marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Have a listen to the pieces below

All pieces have been designed to be listened to through headphones so i invite you to plug into your headphones and enjoy.

5 min 19 sec

Made with voice recording from interviews, field recordings and soundscape

These stories were shared in Nepali and translated into English by other members of the group

Two Ex-Gurkha Soldiers .

2 min 15 sec

Made with voice recording from interviews, field recordings and soundscape

This story was shared in Nepali and translated into English by other members of the group

The Language Barrier

To Us It Means

6 min 52 sec

Made with voice recording from multiple individual interviews, field recordings and soundscape

It Sounds Like

5 min 34 sec

Soundscape made with multiple field recordings layered together

Sensing Freedom

2 min 7 sec

Made with voice recording from multiple individual interviews, field recordings and soundscape

Curated by Brigitte Adela and Bettina Adela

Photographic Artist - Bettina Adela

Sound Artist - Brigitte Adela

Community Producer - Divya Satwani

Commissioned by artsdepot

Supported by Future Arts Centres, in partnership with Libraries Connected and Open Eye Gallery

Funded by Arts Council England

credits :

Special thanks to Barnet Museum, Burnt Oak Good Neighbourhood Scheme, Grahame Park Independent Living Group, Burnt Oak Nepalese Community, local residents across Barnet, West Hendon Summer Festival, and Friends of Silkstream Community Day.

With gratitude to Burnt Oak Partnership Board and the RAF Museum for their advice and support in the early stages of this project.