An Idea of a Life is the first exhibition at the Women’s Museum Barking. It responds to everyday histories of the women-led community who lived in Barking Abbey from c.666AD through to the early 16th Century. This exhibition tells stories that are both imagined and informed by archaeological finds, records and ongoing research emerging from the site of the former Abbey.

Curated by Nephertiti Oboshie Schandorf with support from Valence House Museum and Barking and Dagenham Archives and Local Studies Service, the exhibition holds newly commissioned artworks by Lesley Asare, Sarina Mantle and Meera Shakti Osborne alongside replicas of artefacts found during archeological excavations of the Abbey. The curator and artists each have a personal connection to the local area and this is seen in the works which are aligned to the solar equinox and seasons so change and grow across the upcoming spring, summer, autumn and winter.

RITUAL RECIPES

Commissioned Generative Works and Seasonal Events for “An Idea of a Life”

08/03/24 - 20/01/25

Barking Women’s Museum, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, London

Photography by: Miatta Coomber

What does ceremony and ritual mean to you?

What daily rituals nourish you?

What can you create at home to heal yourself and your family?

“Ritual Recipes” celebrates wild medicinal plants and explores how they can be playfully woven into each of our daily rituals.

Through a series of seasonal tinctures and recipes informed by local plants, archival research, historically informed imaginings alongside her Ghanaian heritage, Lesley Asare invites visitors to reconnect to the earth and the wonder of nature as she journeys through the seasons with plants.

Inspired by the cyclical nature of life and the wisdom that each season offers, medicines will be displayed and community events will be held at the Women’s Museum to explore the daily rituals of Eating, Drinking, Adorning, and Bathing throughout 2024.

This generative commission invites visitors to slow down, reconnect to the earth and open up to the medicine that surrounds us every day.

SPRING DREAMS

‘An Idea of a Life’ Opening Weekend Workshop

09/03/24

Barking Women’s Museum, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, London

Photography by: Miatta Coomber

For centuries aromatic herbs and flowers have been used to heal the body, calm the nervous system, support sleep and inspire vivid dreams.

As we opened up to the wonder of Spring, the Spring Dreams drop in workshop invited participants to create personal dream pillows and set new intentions for the season.

RITUAL RECIPES

SPRING DREAMS

Blecca-Lea: Home of Lesley Asare