Artistic tensions in a fast-changing Peckham

Peckham has recently become one of London’s creative hotspots and is one of the areas of the city which seems to increasingly attract artists.

Living in Nunhead and working in Peckham, I have witnessed this trend first-hand and also noted how Peckham is truly multicultural, with a range of restaurants, shops and businesses owned and run by people from many backgrounds and countries.

It is a world of diversity and creativity but that also can bring changes to the area.

The area is full of art spaces and galleries such as Copeland Park, the Bussey Building, AMP Gallery and many more, plus many major arts universities are either based or have campuses south of the river.

 So the questions arises, what makes the art community in Peckham? Why is it a destination for artists in London and elsewhere? How has it changed Peckham, and Is that change considered to be positive or negative?

 I spoke with Liam Richards an artist, designer and producer from Bradford who had moved to London to establish himself artistically. We began the conversation with why is Peckham and London in general a good place for artists.

When students come to Peckham from privileged backgrounds and treat the local culture like a novelty, something to be gawked at and worn ironically, that is frustrating to see – artist Liam Richards

Richards expressed how many artists who move to London come from small towns like him and me. South London is a good middle ground for those coming from small towns. Being from a town like Luton, I can admit I had a much easier time adjusting to an area like Peckham as it was not terribly different to where I had grown up.

There is a particular atmosphere Peckham offers those who have not been raised in or are familiar with big cities such as London or New York.

 Richards says: “Peckham for example feels like a small community with a sense of personality and its own culture which exists within the larger ecosystem of the city.

“It feels intimate, because it’s a geographical location that you can build a relationship with and this is something which almost feels encouraged.”

Richard elaborates on the sense of community that Peckham has that makes living in the capital city less alienating. This is crucial to many young artists.

With mental health in universities being an ongoing  issue, in addition to the stress and anxiety of looking for jobs, gigs, internships and opportunities to produce work as an artist, the overall atmosphere and sense of community make people feel less isolated.

Along with the comfort and familiarity that Peckham offers to individuals from small towns or predominantly working class areas, Peckham has always been presented as a unique area.

Richards says: “For some, Peckham is a literal source of inspiration, for others it is a facilitator for them to explore abstract concepts, to converse with each other in an eclectic collection of cafes and cocktail bars lounging about pubs.”

This is not rare with the artists I have spoken to in London.

 Like many areas, Peckham offers versatility and diversity in many ways. Through music, food, culture, people and even nights out, Peckham enables a never-ending form of discovery and the furthering ideas.

Many young artists and art students found difficulty with projects after lockdown as they had not been able to explore and find inspiration. I could easily relate, it was not until I had moved that I had a chance to see a new area and experience different things that benefitted me in artwork and writing.

Richards expressed it has been in regards to his own journey here and the others around him, which is what makes Peckham unique, it has the characteristic and comfort of our small towns yet also has an everlasting flow of creativity and culture.

When discussing perspective, you must also consider whose perspective is validated and valued and when it comes to Peckham, it does not seem that all perspectives are valued, due to gentrification and other changes.

With the stream of artists and art students in Peckham, it is clear to see some of the institutions and individuals can negatively affect the area and its long-established communities.

 Richards says: “You have universities exploiting students, using their tuition fees in ways that effect the local communities negatively, and the local community resenting the students as a result of that. The institutions and people which run the art schools have no interest in their students education or the local geography if it means expanding their campus.”

Even though many are grateful there are art institutions in such a great part of the city, it does make you question how this affect will and does change the area and the people in such areas.

This seems to be an ongoing conversation that has not yet been resolved or looked into yet these institutions which make a lot of money are reinvesting in the university whilst putting the communities within Peckham, who some have been there before these institutions were established.

Along with that some of the attitudes towards Peckham and its community from some art students and artists from backgrounds much different to Peckham seem to be strange and rather ignorant.

 Richards adds: “When students come to Peckham from privileged backgrounds and treat the local culture like a novelty, something to be gawked at and worn ironically, that is frustrating to see.”

In many art universities based in south London, this is very common, even though there is so much to show that Peckham is a place where people from different demographics can co-exist.

Peckham and its community undeniably provide a welcoming atmosphere for all people and greatly encourage the artists who choose to live there. However, attention should be paid to the changes that occur when gentrification takes hold of an area.

Feature image of Queens Rd, Peckham by Alfie Chapman via Unsplash.