Making east London
Historically known as a region of small makers, east London is still famous for its independent craftspeople. Creativity has always been a route to empowerment, as stitched by a Hackney schoolgirl in the 1600s: ‘May I learn both art and skill to get my living with my hands so I may be free.’
Some 300 years later, the founders of feminist printing press Lenthall Road Workshop echoed this message: ‘Once you start seeing yourself as a person who can do things then you're in a position to take control of your life.’
Written by: Georgia Haseldine, Senior Curator of V&A East Storehouse
Published: May 2025
Description: Brickfield Newham brick
Maker: Project participants, Rosanna Martin, fired by The Brickfield Makers
Description: Coaster and clock produced during Make Space programme sessions
Maker: Mustafa Mohammed
Sourcebook for Design
- Museum Number
- E.225-2012
- Title/Description
- Print-it-yourself
- Artist/Maker
- Lenthall Road Workshop
- Location
- Hackney
- Date
- c. 1985
- Materials/Techniques
- Ink, Paper, Screenprint
- Museum Number
- S.32-2007
- Title/Description
- Silk programme
- Artist/Maker
- Unknown
- Location
- London
- Date
- 1899
- Materials/Techniques
- Printing ink, Silk (textile), Silk (textile), Ink, Printed
- Museum Number
- T.39-1935
- Title/Description
- Sampler
- Artist/Maker
- Downes, Hannah
- Location
- England
- Date
- 1684
- Materials/Techniques
- Silk yarn, Linen (material), Embroidering