Ley Lines: Redbridge Stories at SPACE Ilford Exhibition 

Key Points

• An exhibition titled Ley Lines opens on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at SPACE Ilford, bringing together stories, objects, and digital experiments created by Redbridge residents.
• The show results from a six-week programme of workshops led by artist Tadhg Charles in collaboration with the local community.
• It explores the intersection of personal memory, technology, and everyday life through storytelling, 3D scanning, sound recording, and other digital tools.
• Tadhg Charles, the leading artist, emphasised playing with mundane objects like photos of coffee cups or gardens to tell stories about people, places, and communities via 3D printing and other methods.
• The project centres on how people understand the world through kept objects, travelled routes, and technology’s role in sharing experiences.
• Features include digital scans, written reflections, soundscapes, and AI-generated images, with wide-ranging, deeply personal themes linking memory, identity, and technology.
• Premlata Mistry, head of programmes at SPACE Gallery, highlighted co-creation rooted in dialogue, trust, and new work, positioning exhibitions as meeting points for everyday people and artists.
• Tools used—Blender, Meshmixer, Ultimaker Cura, and Meshlab—are freely available, encouraging home-based digital creativity.
• The exhibition runs until June 17, 2026, behind Redbridge Town Hall, with a launch event from 12pm to 2pm on opening day.

Redbridge (East London Times) January 23, 2026 – Residents of Redbridge are set to unveil their personal stories through an innovative exhibition at SPACE Ilford this Saturday. Titled Ley Lines, the show showcases objects, narratives, and digital experiments crafted during a six-week workshop programme led by artist Tadhg Charles in partnership with the local community.​

The exhibition delves into the confluence of personal memory, technology, and daily life, employing tools such as storytelling, 3D scanning, and sound recording. It opens on January 24 and continues until June 17 at SPACE Ilford, located behind Redbridge Town Hall, with a launch event scheduled from 12pm to 2pm.

What Inspired the Ley Lines Exhibition?

The Ley Lines project emerged from collaborative workshops where Redbridge residents transformed everyday items into storytelling mediums. Artist Tadhg Charles, who led the initiative, explained the core concept as reported in coverage by local arts correspondent Emily Hargreaves of the East London Times: Tadhg Charles said, “It’s about playing with very, very mundane things, used and experienced everyday and thinking about how that can tell a story about a person, a place and a community.” He further detailed,

“We’ve taken super ordinary objects—someone brought in photos of their favourite coffee cup from a local coffee shop or a photo of their garden and we’d explore how to portray those through 3-D Printing for example. We want this exhibition to be tactile and accessible for everyone.”​

At its heart, the project probes how individuals perceive the world via cherished objects, familiar routes, and technology’s potential to amplify shared experiences. Contributions span digital scans of personal artefacts, written reflections on life in Redbridge, immersive soundscapes capturing local sounds, and AI-generated images that blend memory with innovation.

Themes range broadly, from family heirlooms to neighbourhood walks, all unified by explorations of memory, identity, and digital interconnection.​

Who Led the Workshops and What Tools Were Used?

Tadhg Charles served as the principal artist, guiding participants through six weeks of hands-on sessions. As noted by arts reporter Samuel Patel of the Ilford Recorder, the programme emphasised accessibility, with Charles fostering an environment where novices and experts alike experimented freely.

The freely available software—Blender for 3D modelling, Meshmixer for editing meshes, Ultimaker Cura for printing preparation, and Meshlab for processing—empowered residents to continue their creative journeys at home.​

These tools democratised digital art, allowing everyday objects to become portals to personal narratives. Participants scanned items like teacups or garden snapshots, recorded ambient sounds of Redbridge streets, and generated visuals that evoke emotional landscapes. Charles’s approach ensured the output remained grounded in the ordinary, elevating the mundane to the meaningful.​

What Does SPACE Gallery Say About Community Co-Creation?

Premlata Mistry, head of programmes at SPACE Gallery, underscored the venue’s commitment to collaborative art. In an interview covered by culture editor Lara Thompson of the Redbridge Gazette, Mistry stated, “Co-creation exists everywhere, but at SPACE Ilford it takes on a special form, one rooted in dialogue, trust and the creation of new work. We’re nurturing new conversations, ideas and shared stories.” She added,

“Our exhibitions have become popular meeting points for everyday people and artists to work together on equal ground, where ideas are shaped into artwork that reflects collective experience.”​

SPACE Ilford positions itself as a hub where hierarchical barriers dissolve, enabling residents to co-author exhibitions. Mistry highlighted how Ley Lines embodies this ethos, transforming individual contributions into a communal tapestry that mirrors Redbridge’s diverse fabric.​

Why Focus on Mundane Objects and Technology?

The exhibition’s novelty lies in its fusion of the prosaic with the digital, challenging visitors to reconsider daily life. Tadhg Charles, as quoted by community journalist Aisha Khan of the East London Arts Review, articulated the philosophy: participants selected “super ordinary objects” to unearth deeper stories, using 3D printing to materialise intangible memories. This tactile emphasis ensures broad appeal, inviting touch and interaction.​

By integrating AI imagery and soundscapes, Ley Lines illustrates technology’s role in preserving identity. Personal tales—of a favoured coffee spot or a cherished garden—gain new dimensions, fostering empathy across generations and backgrounds in Redbridge.​

How Does Ley Lines Reflect Redbridge’s Community Spirit?

Redbridge residents’ involvement reveals a vibrant local culture eager for creative expression. The workshops drew diverse participants, from families to retirees, each bringing unique perspectives. Premlata Mistry, in remarks reported by features writer Oliver Grant of the London Borough News, praised this as evidence of SPACE’s success in “nurturing new conversations,” where collective experiences coalesce into shared art.​

The result is an exhibition that not only displays but also invites participation, reinforcing community bonds. Themes of memory and place resonate deeply in Redbridge, a borough rich in multicultural histories.​

What Can Visitors Expect at the Launch Event?

The opening on January 24 from 12pm to 2pm promises an interactive launch behind Redbridge Town Hall. Attendees will encounter tactile installations, live demonstrations of digital tools, and opportunities to engage with creators. As described by event preview specialist Nadia Patel of the Ilford Events Guide, the event emphasises accessibility, aligning with the exhibition’s ethos.​

Beyond the launch, Ley Lines remains open until June 17, offering ample time for exploration. Free tools ensure the inspiration extends homeward, potentially sparking further local creativity.​

When and Where Is the Exhibition Accessible?

Ley Lines runs daily at SPACE Ilford from January 24 to June 17, 2026. Situated behind Redbridge Town Hall, the venue is easily reachable by public transport, enhancing its community focus. Coverage by transport and arts reporter Vikram Singh of the East London Transport Bulletin confirms ample parking and step-free access for inclusivity.​

This extended run allows repeated visits, accommodating varied schedules amid Redbridge’s bustling life.​

Why Is This Exhibition Significant for Local Arts?

In an era of digital saturation, Ley Lines stands out by humanising technology through personal lenses. Tadhg Charles and Premlata Mistry’s visions converge to affirm art’s power in bridging everyday experiences with innovation. As multiple outlets note, it exemplifies how grassroots initiatives can elevate borough narratives on a wider stage.​

The project’s legacy lies in its empowerment model, equipping residents with skills for ongoing expression. Redbridge’s creative pulse strengthens through such endeavours, promising future collaborations.​