When: 7 April to 4 June 2017
Where: The Nunnery, 181 Bow Road, London E3 2SJ

Raw Materials: Wood is the first in a series of Raw Materials exhibitions at the Nunnery Gallery which will delve into the history of the River Lea valley through the materials which paved the way for the area’s development.

Research for the exhibition was carried out by a community steering group of enthusiastic volunteers and includes archive material and items not often on public display. It also features a new commission from resident artist Silke Dettmers and works from the students of the Building Crafts College.

Raw Materials: Wood delves into this past: from timber yards and sawmills, such as James Latham in Hackney, to leading furniture makers, together with newly recorded stories from those that remember a fast-disappearing industrial east London. Exploring stories of industrial change, movement and immigration, including businesses’ aptitude to adapt during times of war and changing communities, Raw Materials brings to light a history that is more relevant today than ever.

A diverse event programme will accompany the show, including wood workshops, riverside walks and boat tours; for a full programme please see rawmaterials.bowarts.org.