FRAME: showcasing Park View's young artists in a new public art space

Alex Costello wants his students to understand what it means to be an artist with work on display in public and not just on the walls of their classroom.

As he explained, at a slightly damp lunchtime launch of the public art space FRAME on Wednesday 2nd March, under the Seven Sisters railway bridge on West Green Road, he wants to expand the audience for Park View’s young artists and celebrate the quality of the artwork created by his students through the provision of a public platform and exhibition space in the community. He hopes that people who see the exhibitions will appreciate the high quality of the work produced at Park View, as well as encouraging young people in the school to pursue their interests and talents in Art.

Alex, an artist and teacher at Park View who studied at Slade School of Fine Art, has worked in the past with Make Room Arts to exhibit year 11 GCSE artwork in a public viewing. From that collaboration, the FRAME artist project was born, taking an empty frame under the Seven Sisters railway bridge as a permanent art space that will show a portfolio of work by Park View’s young artists, curated by Alex, on a monthly rotation.

First to exhibit their work is Park View student Zeynep Yayar, who said yesterday, "I feel proud knowing the public can see my artwork. It's a great opportunity to gain that exposure and has given me an insight to how it would feel to have my work exhibited at a larger scale - It's a great achievement for me."

Commenting on the exhibition, fellow Park View student, Cheinaz Cordeiro said, "It's a nice opportunity - having my work up there would make me feel appreciated. The best thing was actually seeing people there supporting."

The long term aim, as the space expands its audience and public reach, is to undertake and develop projects with artwork by students from neighbouring Haringey schools. Alex also plans to work with recognised local and international artists and art schools on projects to enhance the students' art education and is also keen to include the community in their collaborations. The school would also like to develop a public gallery space on their premises. Watch this space, as the saying goes!

Anyone who would like to find more about FRAME can email frame@parkview.haringey.sch.uk