Multidisciplinary artist Veronica Asenso Afriyie has launched her own creative hub at Tottenham Hale’s East London Studios – she shares the story behind the project

It’s been weeks since we celebrated International Women’s Day – a day that is the focal point in the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, violence and abuse against women, and economic uncertainty and distress. How can we make sure we actively work towards reducing gender-based discrimination, and how can we accelerate progress towards equity for those underrepresented in this sector and collectively contributing to a more equitable creative industry that challenges adverse social norms and siloed attitudes?

My passions have always led me to travel to various places to find new opportunities. Eventually, the urge to move to London came and I decided it was time to make the move in 2017. It was a year of many drastic changes in my life which in hindsight was (unknowingly) the beginning of STUDIO 27°. I found myself in several artist communities, from dance (vogue and hip hop) to DJing, yet I still felt a sense of loneliness, which was also linked to being a newcomer in a foreign country. Working with other creatives was inspiring, but came with a set of challenges, especially in an industry that still is largely white and male-dominated.

I wanted to create a space where you can easily find your peers, improve your creative practice, increase opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and reduce obstacles to accessing digital tools for artistic creation and distribution. This in time included the prioritisation of mental health and wellbeing practices for artists and addressing the inequality we still experience in this sector, including racial and gender-based violence. STUDIO 27° is at its core a creative studio that reinforces change to build the groundwork for an equitable creative industry that prioritises the wellbeing of artists, racial and gender equity and artistic expression. It’s about creating an environment where women and non-binary artists can be safe and where the creative community as a whole can be supported in their personal and artistic growth, and social progress.

Art has always been a great tool for connecting people and bringing communities together. It has been vital in understanding the complexities of life and has provided people solace in times of need, holding up a mirror to reflect on ourselves. This begs the question: what kind of society do we choose to live in?

To find out more visit S27DEGREES.COM

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