Current Exhibitions:
'Cuba:Painting at taller Manero'

London International Gallery of Children's Art is proud to present this collection of paintings and drawings produced by the children of Havana.

As part of an International School of Havana (ISH) group project pupils of the ISH, along with children from the Juan Manuel Marquez pediatric hospital, a group from the El Fanguito and students from the Taller de Manero art workshop, worked with the theme of Cuban culture.

Working with water paint, crayons and pencils on white cardboard and other media, and created without visual sources to copy from, the young artists communicate a deeply ingrained sense of patriotic pride. The Cuban flag is a reoccuring motif amongst the scenes of sun, sea, smiling faces, lush mountainous landscapes, wildlife and dynamic industry.

For the children, the project provided an opportunity for cultural exchange and a chance to simply enjoy the fun of artistic creativity. For the viewer, this exhibition offers the rare opportunity to discover what the youngest inhabitants of this culturally rich yet often mysterious country think of their home.

kitchen Gardens

London International Gallery of Children's Art is proud to present this collection of paintings and drawings produced by the children of Havana.

As part of an International School of Havana (ISH) group project pupils of the ISH, along with children from the Juan Manuel Marquez pediatric hospital, a group from the El Fanguito and students from the Taller de Manero art workshop, worked with the theme of Cuban culture.

Working with water paint, crayons and pencils on white cardboard and other media, and created without visual sources to copy from, the young artists communicate a deeply ingrained sense of patriotic pride. The Cuban flag is a reoccuring motif amongst the scenes of sun, sea, smiling faces, lush mountainous landscapes, wildlife and dynamic industry.

For the children, the project provided an opportunity for cultural exchange and a chance to simply enjoy the fun of artistic creativity. For the viewer, this exhibition offers the rare opportunity to discover what the youngest inhabitants of this culturally rich yet often mysterious country think of their home.

Food from Spain

London International Gallery of Children's Art and Play on Play are proud to present this collection of works by children from Spain.

INDIA – A Celebration of Life

London International Gallery of Children’s Art (LIGCA) is proud to present its first exhibition at Waterlow Park Centre in conjunction with ETHOS Art, Bangalore, India. ETHOS Art is an art organisation with similar aims as LIGCA: combining culture and children’s creativity to promote intercultural understanding and to enhance global awareness.

The result of ETHOS work with three schools in Bangalore and Nasik brings an extraordinarily colourful exhibition to London’s community showing India’s rich culture, traditions and values. The exhibition is comprised of pictures from the secular to the spiritual life through which the young artists, aged between 9 and 15 years, show their dedication and love to their heritage.

It is apparent from the wide range of themes such as dance, harvest, religion, friendship, love and many more scenes visualised that there has been no limitation to the student’s creativity, expression and imagination. The values central to the paintings express humanity, tolerance, unity, secularism and a closely knit social system. The richness of Indian culture is also reflected in the materials used to execute the artworks: crayons, pencil, ink, chalk, water colour, and acrylic paint.

Retrospective

It is with these aims in mind that we are presenting this well-earned celebration of the Gallery's past exhibitions.

The retrospective serves as both a rare chance for the public to revisit remarkable works from former exhibitions and a show of gratitude to all the young artists with whom we have had the pleasure to work.

The selected works awaiting you may originate from a variety of continents, cultures and countries but they are unified by their use of frequently unconventional methods and materials to deliver eloquent personal expressions seemingly far beyond the young artists' years.

Bro Gynefin
Native Place

London International Gallery of Children's Art and Play on Play are proud to present this collection of works by children from Wales.

Following the tracks of the Aborigines

London International Gallery of Children's Art and Play on Play are proud to present this collection of works by children from the Hermannsburg (Ntaria), Ipolera and Red Sand Hill communities of Australia.

The young artists' imaginative illustrations for the children's book, 'Albert - Albert Namatjira and the Hermannsburg Watercolour Artists', beautifully represent the particularity of Namatjira's life, of his acclaimed visual art and of Australia itself. For example, the illustrations alternate between the frigidity of his youth in a Christian mission to the warmth he felt when he was eventually able to embrace his Aboriginal roots, represented by deserts radiating with vivid orange and lush flora.

The children effortlessly reference his dual artistic heritage by creating works displaying aspects of both the European watercolour and Aboriginal symbolic traditions that inspired his art. Their enthusiasm for the project and the natural world are reflected in the young artists' energetic brush strokes and attention to detail.

In fact, it is the children's ability to reference and contribute to, rather than imitate, Namatjira's artistic legacy that leaves a lasting impression. Whilst the works celebrate another artist, we are left want to know more about the young illustrators themselves and their remarkable homeland.

Magical Buildings from Istanbul

London International Gallery of Children’s Art is proud to present an exhibition of works by children from The English International School of Istanbul.

Boldly experimenting with a variety of techniques, the children's imaginative approach beautifully mirrors Istanbul's bold architecture. Buildings such as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Galata Tower and Hagia Sophia are reproduced through a vibrant blend of colours, materials and textures.

By focusing on the city's architecture the children represent over one thousand years of history and some of the most influential buildings ever constructed. The children's astounding ability to represent all of this and also capture their own sense of wonder ensures that their art is brimming with humanity and warmth, despite the lack of human figures.

The skilful combination of different methods and materials – ranging from drawing to collage and acrylic to found objects - evokes Istanbul's rich cultural mix. The choice of colours brings to mind the tones and odours of exotic spices. The busy detail that frequently results from this mixture recalls the city's age-old status as a hectic metropolis.

The architecture of Istanbul is world-renowned for its beauty, ingenuity and enchantment; this exhibition indicates that its children should be held in similarly high esteem.

The Colours Of Our Lives:
Post-tsunami art by the children of Sri Lanka

The London International Gallery of Children’s Art is proud to present an exhibition of works from DNA Design's 'FACE2FACE' project.

Working with young people aged 13-16 from the Lithos Road Estate – in particular those exhibiting anti-social behaviour – the project used face-casts to encourage the participants to reassess how they see themselves, how they are seen by others and how they view the world around them. Each participant had the opportunity for one cast to be realistically painted by a fine artist, while two other casts were for their own personal expression.

The resulting realistic portraits are not only startlingly lifelike, they also succeed in capturing the serenity of faces that are so often demonised in the media as aggressive and dangerous, synonymous with terms like 'ASBO' and 'hoodie'.

However, the real surprise is what these teenagers created when given control of a medium. Their designs are bold expressions of individuality, personality and imagination, some choosing to express national identity with flags while others feature more abstract and individual designs such as musical notation and paw prints.

Highly artistic and surprisingly realistic even when abstract, this is an exhibition of works that succeed in challenging the preconceptions we – including the artists themselves – have concerning young people, their self-image and the contributions they can offer society.

FACE2FACE

The London International Gallery of Children’s Art is proud to present an exhibition of works from DNA Design's 'FACE2FACE' project.

Working with young people aged 13-16 from the Lithos Road Estate – in particular those exhibiting anti-social behaviour – the project used face-casts to encourage the participants to reassess how they see themselves, how they are seen by others and how they view the world around them. Each participant had the opportunity for one cast to be realistically painted by a fine artist, while two other casts were for their own personal expression.

The resulting realistic portraits are not only startlingly lifelike, they also succeed in capturing the serenity of faces that are so often demonised in the media as aggressive and dangerous, synonymous with terms like 'ASBO' and 'hoodie'.

However, the real surprise is what these teenagers created when given control of a medium. Their designs are bold expressions of individuality, personality and imagination, some choosing to express national identity with flags while others feature more abstract and individual designs such as musical notation and paw prints.

Highly artistic and surprisingly realistic even when abstract, this is an exhibition of works that succeed in challenging the preconceptions we – including the artists themselves – have concerning young people, their self-image and the contributions they can offer society.

The Mini-Giraffe and her Friends from Lille

The London International Gallery of Children's Art is delighted to present this new exhibition from France. Thirty children from Lille, between the ages of two and twelve, bring their vibrant and imaginative creations to London. The children involved in the Mini-Giraffe Collective, so called because children's imaginative abilities give them higher and further vision (similar to the higher perspective provided by the Giraffe's long neck), take part in workshops to create and enjoy art.

The children let their imagination run riot as they paint stories from their lives and tales of imaginary friends - mostly from the animal kingdom - without any inhibition. There are no rules regarding the subject matter of the paintings, and each one shows the individuality and inventiveness of its creator. The edge of the frame is dedicated to telling the story of the picture and explaining what the young artist wanted to express.

The result is very refreshing work that shows the undeniable talent of the young artists.

A Trip to the Mountains in Vietnam
Christina Noble Children’s Foundation Sunshine Exhibition

We are proud to present this exhibition of paintings from the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation Art and Music Project in Vietnam.

Since its inception in 1991, CNCF has since established over 60 projects in Ho Chi Minh City and the surrounding provinces, assisting over 200,000 of the country’s poorest and most vulnerable children. In July of this year 32 children from the project’s art classes and shelters made a trip to the countryside. This trip to Dalat allowed the children to leave the city and see the countryside of Vietnam as inspiration for their art.

The paintings produced as a result of this trip are vibrant and colourful, reflecting the joy and passion of the children who created them.

Further information on the work of CNCF can be found on www.cncf.org

A Window onto Romania
Paintings from the Nicolae Tonitza Fine Arts Highschool of Bucharest

A collection of paintings from the Nicolae Tonitza Fine Arts Highschool of Bucharest

Traditional Colours of Turkey
A Country in Two Continents

London International Gallery of Children's Art is delighted to present this exhibition by the children of The English International School in Istanbul, Turkey. The work was created in art lessons over a period of several months and the work gives a flavour of the culture in this complex city, which straddles the ancient and modern worlds.

The exhibition consists of plates decorated in the traditional Ýznik çini' style, ornate wooden spoons, Anatolian wall-hangings to ward off evil spirits, Ottoman-style kaftans and paintings of Istanbul as seen through the eyes of children.

Rising from the Waves:
Photographs from Sri Lanka

The photographs in this moving exhibition were taken by young people in Welligama, south west Sri Lanka and tell the story of their lives after the tsunami. Amongst poignant images of departed relatives and ruined homes, there are more uplifting photographs of everyday lives resuming (cricket on the beach, traditional festival) and the overall message of the exhibition is a positive one. The photographs were taken as part of the project organised by FunforLife.

Artscape - Tales from Japan

LIGCA is proud to present a selection of work from the prestigious Tokyo art competition, Artscape. Held annually for the past 25 years, the event attracts entries from more than 600 pupils at 14 schools across the capital. This exhibition represents a broad cross-section of work, with paintings, drawings and photographs on a wide range of themes, taking in both pop culture and traditional Japanese heritage.

Beyond Vision: Photography from the streets of Ecuador

We are pleased to be working with the Charlotte Miller Photography Project in hosting an exhibition of photographs taken by children from the streets of Ecuador. The photographs from this project will reflect on the children's life through their eyes, rather than that of an outsider.

In June this year, Lara Kay and Lynn Weddle, photography graduates from Falmouth College of Art, travelled to Guayaquil, a poverty-stricken port city in the South of Ecuador, to work on the project Beyond Vision. They wanted to contribute to the legacy of their friend Charlotte Miller, who died whilst travelling Latin America in 2001.

The Charlotte Miller Art Project was set up through the Juconi, a charity that had already been working with street children in Ecuador and Mexico, in order to express themselves through art and teach them transferable and sustainable skills. These children live in conditions of extreme poverty and social exclusion, and due to the lack of recreational spaces, use the streets as their playground. Their parents also expect them to start earning money and take on domestic duties at an early age, and therefore have never previously had the opportunity to participate in expressive activities.

Real and Imaginary Worlds
This exhibition displays some of the highlights of recent art workshops.

Hopes and Fears
Pupils aged 10-13 from the Franc Barnes School for the Deaf worked with Artist Gail Dickerson to produce paper and mixed media sculptures, whilst pupils aged 8-10 worked with Artist Kate Barker, producing screen prints onto paper and fabric.

Wonderland
Children aged 6-8 from the Maiden Lane and Coram Fields Play Schemes took part in a 2 day project giving them the opportunity to explore, experiment and let their imagination run free! Working with new materials and in new ways, they created their own individual wonderland sculptures and wall drawings.

Our Lives in London
Artist Melissa Caneppele led this workshop as part of the national Children's Art Day events. Children were encouraged to think about aspects of their lives in London that they like and dislik and to express their feeling through the use of textiles and paints. The results have been collected together in one colourful wall-hanging.

London International Gallery of Children's Art would like to thank the Junior League of London for the generous grant which allowed these workshops to take place.

The Little Train from Genoa:
Drawings & ceramics of the Italian countryside

"Il Trenino" (the little train) travels across the mountains in this region of Italy and this exhibition is about the landscape as seen from this train through the eyes of children. The exhibition consists of drawings and ceramics, made by children aged 11-13 from the Istituto Comprensivo Di Casella in Genoa.

Viewpoints:
Children's Photo Project

On October 1st, 2004, 141 children and young people across London all went out to take photographs of one day in their lives. They had been invited by Children's Fund Partnerships to capture their ViewPoints on digital camera. The images give an insight into what is important to children, allowing a look across barriers of age, ability, language, location.

The ViewPoints photographers are aged 5-13 years. They live in 16 boroughs, from Enfield to Bromley, from Havering to Hounslow. Many come from minority ethnic groups or traveller communities, some have disabilities or learning difficulties, and a few are young offenders. Many of them had never held a camera before, and a professional photographer taught them basic skills.

Himalayan Scenes:
Collages and Paintings from Nepal

An exhibition of collages and painting made by Nepalese children. The artworks depict the scenery and culture of Nepal. Using locally made paper the children have represented daily life in the villages.

Nativity
Sculpture from around the world

Nativity is an exhibition of a unique collection of handmade nativity scenes from around the world. Each individual nativity is made from locally available materials, ranging from bamboo figurines from The Philippines to a miniature glass nativity from Italy. Reflective of the traditions and ways of life found in each place, the nativities offer an insight into other cultures.

Groups of local school children have been invited into the gallery to work with the collection and create artworks of their own interpretations of the nativity scene, which will form part of the exhibition.

Pure Life
A Celebration of the Flora and Fauna of Costa Rica

The theme of this colourful exhibition is the environment as seen through the eyes of children living in Costa Rica. It features paintings, prints, mosaics, toys and rainmakers produced by children aged 4-12 from the European School in Heredia and the Central Escuela in Los Guidos.

Printing, collage and colouring activities will be provided to allow children visiting the gallery to produce their own artwork inspired by the exhibition.

Life Journeys
An Exploration of Identity

Life Journeys is the result of a year long programme of arts activiies that celebrated diversity and encouraged children to explore their identities though creative self-expression.  The workshops encouraged freedom of expression through various media of art including paint, charcoal, collage, poetry and performance. The project was carried out in partnership with the London International Gallery of Children's Art, St. Cuthbert's with St. Mathias CE Primary School, Honeypot Charity, St Clement and St James Community Development Project, Turtle Key Arts and the Junior League of London.

City of Flowers

The London International Gallery of Children's Art are delighted to present this exhibition of art made by children from Pietermaritzburg, capital city of the Kwazulu-Natal province, South Africa. This work was made during a series of workshops run by Sue Dance, Head of Art at Southbank International School, on location at Merchiston Preparatory School, and will now become part of LIGCA's permanent collection.

The children have used this opportunity to express all aspects of their environment, from traditional Zulu homes and costumes to the modern day cityscape, describing the incredible animal life in the nearby game parks, sea-life from the Indian Ocean, and the vast South African landscape, which includes the majestic Drakensburg mountain range.

CHERNOBYL

This exhibition comprises a collection of works by children involved in art therapy sessions provided to help them cope with the after effects of the disaster, and a collection of pieces created by children in response to their visit to the National Chernobyl Museum.

Thai Celebrations: Festivals though the eyes of children

This exhibition is a collection of drawings by primary school children in Northern Thailand. Each group of children chose a different Thai festival to illustrate. The resulting exhibition gives a fascinating insight into the traditions and ceremonies within the Thai culture.

Discovering Lisbon: Artwork by local children

The aim of the project was to encourage the children to see their city in a new light and to instill an emotional, cultural and artistic bond with it. The children went on tours of the city to build their appreciation of Lisbon's cultural, social and architectural development. Following the tours, they participated in painting workshops with a contemporary artist, Ana Perez-Quiroga. These paintings, inspired by what the children saw and heard on the tours, were exhibited in the Museum of the City of Lisbon.

Viva Mexico: Art by children of San Miguel de Allende

Viva Mexico is a collection of paintings, drawings and collages reflecting the life and culture of Mexico. The artwork depicts local scenes; flora and fauna; celebrations and figures from Mexican mythology. The exhibition was created by two different groups of children, rural children from the La Senda Ranch and students from the Jose Vasconcelos Bilingual School in San Miguel.

alive at LIGCA

alive at LIGCA is an exhibition organised in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Arts and the Yakult Outreach Programme. For three days children from Southbank International School, an independent international school, and Jack Taylor School, a state school for children with special learning needs, participated in drawing workshops. The aim of these workshops was to teach children about creativity through the simple act of drawing.

Face to Face

This exhibition is the work of 37 London school children aged 8-13. They learnt about portraiture in an historical context by visiting the Tate Gallery. One group of children worked with the Tate' s artist-in-residence, Jane Colville, to further explore the art of portraiture. The resulting collection of portraits was created using a range of materials: watercolour, lino printing, charcoal and cardboard bas-relief.