Corrina Eastwood and Charlotte Elliston, Co-Directors of feminist arts organisation Sweet 'Art, look back on the people who have inspired and guided their work.
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Charlotte Elliston and Corrina Eastwood
Charlotte and I met over 20 years ago at art school. We both studied Fine Art at the University of East London and were lucky enough to complete our studies at Green Gate campus, before the building was turned into flats. An old YMCA building roughly converted into art studios, gallery spaces, workshops and the odd room to sit down in and hear a lecture or two, the place had a very creative and process-led feel. My sense of the art world needing to be an inclusive and non-elitist place for its own good began at Green Gate. UEL had a good inclusion policy and was a school that took those that didn’t necessarily fall into the privileged demographics that going to art school often meant being a part of, even back then.
My cohort was very diverse, with many students from the local, working class area (including Charlotte!). There were large proportions of students from minority groups, as well as mature students and single parents who were studying, working and juggling child care. Our tutors always fostered an atmosphere of inclusivity and a focus on the importance of varying social and cultural perspectives in creating interesting and alive art practice. Years later, Charlotte and I founded Sweet ‘Art, an intersectional feminist arts organisation with a mission of hosting inclusive arts events and projects that privilege the work of marginalised groups in the arts, and address important social issues. I feel the influence of Green Gate in our mission and values as an organisation. Looking back at Christmas parties where the technicians would drunkenly attempt to cook a turkey in the kiln, I also feel the influence of not taking things too seriously too!
