Name: In The Space Between Words
Start: 2025-03-12T14:00:00Z
End: 2025-03-16T16:00:00Z
Location: Copeland Gallery

In The Space Between Words

Rethinking Eastern Europe

A new exhibition at Copeland Gallery, Peckham, challenges views of contemporary Eastern Europe with works from diverse regional artists.

Copeland Gallery

FREE to attend, booking preferred but not required! Capacity is not limited! In March 2025, Copeland Gallery will host ‘In the Space Between Words’ an exhibition from the Rethinking Eastern Europe collective, which brings together diverse voices and perspectives to challenge and reimagine the narratives surrounding Eastern Europe.Through a dynamic mix of media, including video, installation, photography, sculpture and performance, the exhibition will explore the complexities of identity, history, religion and geopolitical shifts that have shaped the region. The works in this show engage with both the visible and invisible boundaries that define “Eastern Europe”, questioning notions of division, belonging, heritage and transformation. By highlighting the region’s rich cultural diversity and its ongoing reinvention, the exhibition encourages a broader dialogue about the fluidity of national and cultural identities in a rapidly changing world.The themes resonate both globally and within local communities in South East London. While the exhibiting artists work on different topics, interrogating a plethora of ideas through distinct visual languages, audiences are invited to reflect on the power of unity and diversity in shaping our collective future.Curators Vera Hadzhiyska and Zula Rabikowska say of the exhibition: “In today’s world, with ever-shifting socio-political landscapes, it is important to bring communities of creative practitioners together, to cross both imaginative and actual borders, to celebrate our differences and similarities in perspectives and lived experiences. In curating ‘In the Space Between Words’ we challenge and revitalise existing stereotypes that reduce “Eastern” Europe into a homogenous bloc. We want to show the intricate complexity of the region and its diversity in terms of politics, religion, geography and history.” Artists: Arti Siudem (Poland), Diana Serban (Romania), Eve Gil (Poland/Wales), Filip Gesse (Poland), Grupa Łono (Poland), Hanna-Katrina Jędrosz (UK), Ioana Marinca (Romania/UK), Ismail Khokon (Poland/UK), Karla Šavrtková (Slovakia), Katerina Kouzmitcheva (Belarus/Poland), Katie McCraw (UK/Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina), Ksenia Kazintseva (Ukraine/Russia), Laura Bivolaru (Romania), Lina Ivanova (Bulgaria), Marcelina Amelia (Poland), Nastassja Nefjodov (Russia/Germany), Lăcră Grozăvescu (Romania), Roxana Savin (Romania), Zsuzsanna Ida Papp (Slovakia/Hungary), Patricia Petersen (Poland/Denmark), Paulina Korobkiewicz (Poland), Vera Hadzhiyska (Bulgaria), Zula Rabikowska (Poland)Curators: Vera Hadzhiyska and Zula RabikowskaVenue: Copeland Gallery, Unit 9, Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Rd, London SE15 3SN Dates: 12th - 16th March 2025General Opening Times: Wednesday, 2 - 7pm; Thursday - Saturday, 11am - 7pm; Sunday, 11-4 Private view: 6-10pm, Thursday 13th March 2025Website: www.instagram.com/re.thinking.eastern.europe The exhibition is supported by Copeland Gallery, Sarah Kravitz Gallery, and Zoomeuropa. Events programme - Saturday 15 March:11am-1pm Upcycling and embroidery - a folk story Join Eve Gil and Ksenia Kazintseva to share your stories and learn how to upcycle fabric with stitching, creating a collaborative embroidered piece. Throughout history within both fine art and craft practice in Eastern Europe embroidery has held an important role; serving as a powerful marker of regional and cultural identity. Join us to learn about techniques and histories from Ukraine, Poland and Russia.2-3pm Symposium Collective founder Zula Rabikowska, co-curator Vera Hadzhiyska, artists Hanna-Katrina Jędrosz and Ksenia Kazintseva discuss the space between words, cultures and homes.5-5:40pm Òdroda (participatory performance) by Filip Gesse Performing stories and legents to and with the audience, Filip Gesse explores cultural heritage through movement. Includes the telling of theWoje Swiãtopôłka Kashubian legend, and learning traditional folk dance.5:45-5:55pm Plive Kacha (participatory performance) by Ksenia Kazintseva Singing traditional folk song of love and mourning, Ksenia explores the intersection between cultures and the connection we can build through re-remembering and re-creating.6-6:40pm PŁACZKI (participatory performance) by Grupa Łono A communal reenactment of the ritual captured in the video PŁACZKI. It is an intimate, symbolic experience that invites participation in the process of closing important chapters of life. Inspired by the tradition of płaczki—women who historically accompanied mourning rituals—this ceremony creates a space for collective reflection and release.

Sat 15 Mar

Throughout history within both fine art and craft practice in Eastern Europe embroidery has held an important role; serving as a powerful marker of regional and cultural identity. Historically domestically worked embroidery, majorly created by women, with patterns inspired by local wildlife,  on homespun fabric was present within nearly all domestic textiles, with a particularly visible example being the extensive hand embroidery present on folk costumes throughout Eastern Europe. In times of strife, danger and war embroidery became a cornerstone of visual culture, bolstering cultural identity and patriotism. Within the modern day many Eastern European artists and designers use embroidered motifs and patterns within their work, developing the craft practice further and creating a future for it. 

This workshop will be led by textile artists Eve Gil and Ksenia Kazintseva, who will share embroidery techniques and their histories hailing from Ukraine, Poland and Russia.

Upcycling and embroidery - a folk story

Collective founder Zula Rabikowska, co-curator Vera Hadzhiyska, artists Hanna-Katrina Jędrosz and Ksenia Kazintseva discuss the space between words, cultures and homes.

Symposium

Performing stories and legends to and with the audience, Filip Gesse explores cultural heritage through movement. Includes the telling of theWoje Swiãtopôłka Kashubian legend, and learning traditional folk dance.

Òdroda (participatory performance) by Filip Gesse

Singing traditional folk song of love and mourning, Ksenia explores the intersection between cultures and the connection we can build through re-remembering and re-creating.

Plive Kacha (participatory performance) by Ksenia Kazintseva

This performance by Grupa Łono is a communal reenactment of the ritual captured in the video PŁACZKI. It is an intimate, symbolic experience that invites participation in the process of closing important chapters of life.
Inspired by the tradition of płaczki—women who historically accompanied mourning rituals—this ceremony creates a space for collective reflection and release. Participants will be invited to take part in simple, guided gestures and rituals, including writing down personal stories, memories, or emotions they wish to leave behind. These will be placed in a symbolic grave, marking a moment of transition. While everyone is invited to participate, it is entirely optional, and guests are welcome to observe or simply be present. Through shared moments of reflection, farewell gestures, and collective presence, we will create a space for letting go and embracing change.

In The Space Between Words

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In The Space Between Words

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