• Arts-based learning is a key part of the individualised support programme that we provide for children and young people, building confidence and boosting emotional wellbeing
• West London Zone teamed up with artist Ross Muir for his latest exhibition, The Bridge Home, which runs at the Maddox Gallery until 22 October
• The exhibition includes work by four secondary school students on the West London Zone programme, created after a workshop held by the artist at our partner school in Westminster

West London Zone recently teamed up with the Maddox Gallery and acclaimed artist Ross Muir for his latest exhibition, The Bridge Home, which will be shown at their Westbourne Grove gallery until 22 October. 

The exhibition includes pieces from four young people on the West London Zone programme, following a workshop hosted by Muir and facilitated by Link Worker, Kamal at one of our partner schools in Westminster. In the guided session, students were encouraged to reimagine famous historical artworks. They did this by adding personal flourishes and contemporary references, such as a gold chain, apartment blocks, and changing the colour palettes of their chosen artworks. The art created by the young people is currently on display in a special area of the gallery for the duration of The Bridge Home exhibition. Having used arts-based learning for confidence building and for positive explorations of identity throughout the year, the young people and Kamal were excited to take part in this inspiring session with a professional artist.

Muir has been vocal about his personal struggles and the challenge of keeping himself grounded. He has also acknowledged that art has changed his life and it was this that led him to support the work we do.

The exhibition showcases Muir’s reworkings of famous paintings, provocatively customised to add modern tweaks to established artworks. He first came to prominence in 2018, when his interpretation of Van Gogh in an Adidas tracksuit went viral, and his brilliantly executed works of art have been in high demand ever since. 

“It’s been great working with the charity and the kids. When they’re creating and connecting with art, there is hope. Art changed my life, and it could for somebody else.”

Ross Muir, artist

Our CEO, Louisa Mitchell, attended the opening alongside our Trustees and our Link Worker, Kamal. In our first event for the academic year, we are pleased to start the year celebrating the successes of young people on our programme and sharing our work with supporters. 

“He (young person) literally grew two feet the moment he showed his Head of Year his artwork because he was so proud of him…it’s about those magic moments that children will remember and change their lives.”  - Louisa Mitchell, CEO of West London Zone

We were delighted to partner with the Maddox Gallery and Muir for the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and share the work we do to inspire young people in our communities.