Working Lives, a new exhibition brought to life by Pedalling Arts and International Arts, offers a heartfelt look at the working lives of people in the UK and Ukraine. Strolling along Lower Marsh, near Waterloo Station, you’ll find shop windows transformed into windows to the past, filled with photographs that tell the stories of two communities separated by miles but united in experience.
At the heart of this exhibition are images from the SE1 Collection, a 1970s project that captured the everyday lives of people in Lower Marsh. These are paired with raw, honest photos by Ukrainian photographer Ranchukov, who documented working life in Soviet Kyiv, and British photographer Nicholas Hopkins, who turned his lens on the streets of Odesa.
This exhibition isn’t just about the past; it reflects the changing face of Lower Marsh, a neighborhood that has warmly welcomed many Ukrainians in recent years as they seek safety and new beginnings.
Working Lives also celebrates the rich theatrical history of the area, featuring works by renowned London theatre photographers like Angus McBean and John Vickers, displayed alongside images by Ukrainian photographer Viktor Maruschenko.
But Working Lives is a community project that invites everyone to get involved. Local schools will host creative workshops, and a photography competition will encourage residents to share their own stories. An audio guide, created by volunteers, will weave together the memories of longtime locals and newly arrived Ukrainians.
When: 29 August to 22 September
Where: Lower Marsh, SE1, near Waterloo Station
