Sun 7 Jun, 3.15-4.30pm
Hear about the role of creativity and the arts in the aftermath of tragedy, reflecting on experiences after the Grenfell Tower fire and Manchester Arena bombing.
After the Grenfell Tower fire and the Manchester Arena bombing, communities spontaneously came together to share, reflect and heal through collective, creative activity and the creation of spontaneous memorials.
In this conversation, you’ll hear from socially engaged artist and curator Lisa Nash and the University of Manchester’s Dr Robert Simpson, who will share their experiences of the immediate aftermath of those tragedies. They will discuss their emerging research into spontaneous memorials around the world and explore the role of creativity and the arts after such events. Their discussion will include reflections on how a mosaic project gave a community a chance to stand together in solidarity and remembrance and how a song helped to unite a city in the face of collective trauma.
As part of Lisa Nash’s ongoing memorial practice, in collaboration with the Grenfell Foundation, floral tributes left at the base of Grenfell Tower on the eight-year anniversary were carefully preserved and transformed into memorial paper and printing ink. Following the conversation and as we approach the nine-year anniversary of the Grenfell fire on 14th June, Lisa will lead a creative memorial activity using this memorial paper with those who wish to take part.
Please note that this conversation will discuss traumatic incidents and loss. If at any point you feel uncomfortable or need support, you are welcome to step out or speak to a member of staff.
The national tour of Grenfell by Steve McQueen is made possible with support using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and from Art Fund. Each presentation will be free to visit and will be accompanied by a public engagement programme of talks, workshops and community events supported by the Grenfell Foundation.
If you would like to attend a screening of 'Grenfell' by Steve McQueen on the day, you will need to book a screening separately in advance here.
This event will have BSL interpretation.
Free, booking required
Lisa Nash
Working across curatorial projects, public interventions, and participatory processes, Lisa is interested in the relationship between art, activism, and memorialisation as social practice. A North Kensington resident, following the Grenfell Tower fire she worked to ensure local people had access to safe and welcoming creative spaces to support wellbeing, and spearheaded the Grenfell Memorial Community Mosaic, a four-year public realm programme. She continues to develop this work through writing and research, and an ongoing practice that holds space for creative reflection after collective trauma.
Dr Robert Simpson
Robert’s research explores grassroots community responses to disasters and conflict, focusing mainly on spontaneous memorials, commemorative practices in digital spaces, and other cultural responses to trauma. This contributes to a growing body of work around memorialisation, collective memory, identity and belonging, resilience, and social solidarity. He is the co-founder and developer of PLAN-CARE- HEAL, an online framework supporting heritage professionals and community groups in the collection and documentation of contemporary disasters.
Grenfell by Steve McQueen
In December 2017, artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen (b. 1969, London, UK) made an artwork in response to the fire that took place earlier that year on 14 June at Grenfell Tower, North Kensington, West London. 72 people died in the tragedy. Filming the tower before it was covered with hoarding. McQueen sought to make a record.
Following the fire, a Government Inquiry ran from September 2017 until September 2024. The resulting recommendations are yet to be implemented, meaning a similar tragedy could happen again. There is an ongoing criminal investigation, with potential charges including corporate manslaughter. No trials are expected until 2028 at the earliest, over a decade since the fire. Grenfell Tower is currently being dismantled and it is estimated this will be completed by Spring 2027. After this a memorial will be built on the site of the tragedy.
