An aim, a dream and a space

ARRIVING at Makaan, an art gallery in a typical terrace in South Shields, your first thought is that you must be in the wrong place. The windows are painted bright blue; their glass obscured by white net, and a hanging basket filled with pansies adorns the entrance. There is nothing to suggest that this is anything other than an ordinary home – which is entirely the point.

Inside, it’s a different story. The walls are painted white and the living room is an open space with little furniture and an easel with a blank canvas in the corner, reflecting a general sense of invitation. Next door, the décor is similarly sparse, and there is a simple sofa bed where artists in residence can sleep. What is striking is the feeling of peace – the lack of clutter and the silence that envelops you. The idea is that artists can use the space as a kind of refuge in which to indulge their creativity.

Makaan, which means “house” in Urdu, is run by Padma Rao, an artist herself, who is originally from India. Having worked in the arts for more than 20 years, most recently for the Arts Council, she wanted to develop closer links between art and the community. She owned a house in South Shields and felt it was the perfect venue for this.

“I worked for the Arts Council for eight years and it was during that time that I really had the opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge of how the arts are played out in the wider realm,” Padma explains. “Coming out of that and breathing fresh air, I realised that I could do what I wanted, and I had this personal vision that I wanted to create work and work with other artists.

“This venture is very much about linking local artists and bringing artists from outside here to South Shields. It’s not a bed and breakfast. It’s more about artists responding to the local environment or local issues and working with local residents to create work which meaningful for this locality.”

Starting out with just her vision, Padma formed a partnership with businessman Steve Donkin to establish the company ArtsConnect, of which Makaan is a central part. It opened a year ago with an exhibition comprising work from13 artists from all over the world. Had it not been for local councillor Bob Watters, however, this might never have come about. “He walked in and caused the opening,” says Padma, 53. “Steve and I were working on this, but progress was slow.

“Bob was the catalyst which meant that, suddenly, 13 artists’ works were being shown, we had the mayor coming and we had a fantastic opening. He is very proud of this place. On the opening night he came to me and said, ‘Padma, it feels as though we could be in London. It’s only when you go outside that you realise we’re in South Shields’.”

A former musician, Bob immediately understood the concept of Makaan and was keen to promote it. He rallied local support, making people feel ownership of the project, and Padma feels that without him, it might never have got off the ground. Bob died in January, and, as a tribute to him, Padma and Steve have devised the Bob Watters Artist’s Residency Award, aimed at promoting talent in South Tyneside. As it becomes established, they hope to broaden its scope.

“It’s about giving an artist from South Tyneside a platform and space to think,” says Padma. “They need to have some vision as to what they want to do. It needn’t be a big vision, just the germ of an idea. I’m hoping that this model will become attractive to artists from outside the borough and that we will be able to extend the award to Tyne and Wear, and, hopefully, the whole North-East, in three to four years’ time.”

Disappearing tribes of Oo Valley, by Matthew Page

Being an artist, Padma understands how artists work, which can be sporadically and at odd times of the day or night. She feels that allowing them to stay at Makaan gives them the flexibility they need, while also providing an environment conducive to creativity. The feedback she has received has reinforced this.

“We are probably attracting most artists from outside the area at the moment,” says Padma. “They say it’s an unusual place, and, secondly, it gives them an opportunity to show their work in the North-East, because it’s very difficult to get into local galleries – sometimes they’re booked up to three years in advance. Artists also like the layout.”

Makaan welcomes all types of visual art, and exhibitors have ranged from Steve Cunningham, a former policeman from Blyth who makes furniture from driftwood, to photographer Matthew Page, who showed intimate photographs from Ethiopia. Key to the gallery is bringing a diverse range of artwork to a local audience.

“It’s an opportunity for local schools to have direct contact with an artist and see, first-hand, work being created and ask questions,” says Padma. “A large number of people in this area have probably never visited a gallery. It’s about taking the arts to the people rather than expecting people to come to the arts.”

Padma has certainly succeeded in bringing art to the street’s residents. At first sceptical, her next-door neighbour attended a workshop and was transported back to her childhood by producing images of horses. Underpinning all that Makaan stands for is the concept that art is much more than mere aesthetics.

“I truly believe that it has a transformational impact on people,” says Padma. “If someone isn’t well, it uplifts them and by participating in and making artworks, you’re developing skills and using a part of your brain that’s different.”

Thanks to support from people like Bob, Makaan is already making an impact. Well-known venues like the Customs House, in South Shields, and Sunderland’s National Glass Centre have shown interest, and Padma hopes the gallery will act as an outpost for some of their future projects. There is still a long way to go, but she envisages success.

“We’ve achieved a lot,” Padma reflects. “What we need now is support in terms of having a solid business and marketing plan, and we need to be proactively inviting artists from outside. We also should be working more with local artists and showing that this is a space for them. There is a demand, because we haven’t stopped working. What we have at the moment is an aim, a dream and a space.”

artsconnect.org.uk, info@artsconnect.org.uk