Delaine Le Bas – To Gypsyland

21 June 2014 to 20 August 2014

Co-Curated by Barby Asante

Private View 20th June 2014 6.30 – 9pm

To Gypsyland returns to 198 after a tour around the UK with “Atchin Tan’s in Glasgow, Peterborough and Bolton. Along the way Delaine has been exploring each place looking for “Gypsyland”.

The title of the project is taken from a book published in 1892 by Elizabeth Robins Pennell with illustrations by her husband Joseph, that speaks of their travels through the UK and Europe looking for “Gipsyland.” The book acts as a prompt for Delaine’s own journey To Gypsyland, a cultural and historical journey across the country exploring the Gypsy and Traveller presence in major cities in the UK. This exhibition explores the idea of urban Traveller communities that have always been part of the city landscape, but that still exist within the public imagination as an ‘English Countryside’ stereotype. To Gypsyland is where Delaine takes audiences to travel with her into this unknown territory bringing to light the cultural and historical geography of a people who are often mythologised and demonised; changing perception of where Gypsy culture and history is kept and dispelling and unpacking the mythologies. On her journey Delaine also considers ideas of identity, slavery and trafficking, immigration and migration, shared histories, the right to roam, nomadic urban living, the ways in which we use urban spaces and how spaces are becoming increasingly contested within our contemporary cities. This not only affects Gypsy or Travelling communities but all of us in an increasingly protective, surveilled, privitised and nationalistic societies. This exhibition will bring together work made in each space and new work made in London. To catch up on the To Gypsyland journey visit the project blog www.togypsyland.blogspot.com

Exhibition Events

To Gypsyland Symposia 10-5pm

Thursday 26th June 2014

A day of talks and discussions exploring some of the themes and issues that have come up on thr To Gyspyland tour of the UK

£10 including lunch

To book for this event https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/to-gypsyland-symposia-tickets-11755339537

Gypsy Ball 2-6pm

6th July 2014

Music, Poetry, Fortune Telling and Merriment.

Join us in Brockwell Park for a picnic inspired by Corlinda Lee’s Victorian Gypsy Balls.

Gallery Opening Times

Monday -Friday 11-5pm

Saturdays 5th July, 26th July, 9th August 16th August 12-5pm