Painting a picture of Tottenham Art Group

I think Taslima is a key figure in the creative explosion hitting Tottenham. She's helping to awaken our long slumber with innovative ideas and her passion for the local community, which she only joined two years ago, is truly admirable.

She is an artist first – she may try to dodge that honour but she is – and she sees the vast potential in the area and in its people. Let's keep tabs on this one.

Taslima – what’s happening, what’s new?

Staying up late is new for me. 10pm is my usual bedtime. Now it's the early hours, into the morning.

The reason for that is that I'm very excited to be launching new evening Tottenham Art Classes from January 2014. I'm spending the time sourcing, promoting and researching for this new initiative.

The first class I'm going to establish is an untutored drop-in life drawing class for adults during the evening as something creative to do in the local area perhaps after work/college.
It's going to take place every Thursday from January 16 between 7-9pm and it'll cost £5.

This is a new initiative I decided to do on the back of starting the Tottenham Art Group, which is a social group for people living in and around Tottenham to get together and enjoy cultural activities in the area.

It's a busy time as I've just sent off a funding application for this new initiative, started sourcing equipment and materials for the class, recruiting models and trainee tutors as well as doing my day job.

How long have you lived in Tottenham and why?

I moved to Tottenham in September 2011 when I purchased my first home after moving out of my parents at the tender age of '29', so I've lived here for over two years now.

I was born and raised in Westbourne Park, which is an area of Notting Hill. When I tell people where I'm from, they say how posh and expensive it is and I get nostalgic at memories of how different it was when I was growing up.

It was arty, hippy with a bohemian edge, something I feel and can see Tottenham becoming, if it isn't already. Being a London child, you tend to live with your parents embarrassingly longer (rent free) and I managed to save for a big enough deposit to move to Tottenham because it was the only area I could afford and get more bang for my buck.

I used to say I lived in Turnpike Lane when I first moved into the area, which was geographically incorrect but now I correctly say Tottenham. I'm proud to call it home.

What do you do for a living?

I am an arts manager for a small arts charity in Angel. I fell into this job by accident. Prior to working for the charity, I worked in fashion buying and learnt a lot about menswear but then wanted to interact with the general public a bit more which this job didn't allow me to do.

I started volunteering for this charity just to do something with my time whilst I figured out what to do with my life. I volunteered twice a week stuffing envelopes for two months before I persuaded the director to give me a part-time job and then eventually went full-time because I enjoyed the varied things I got to do. I'm still there fours years on.

How did the idea for the group come about?

When I moved to Tottenham, it was the first time I felt a little isolated from everything I knew and grew up with. I didn't know anyone and wanted to meet people and make friends in the local area but I didn't know how to go about it.

I was staying over at my parents one day in February this year and woke up with the idea of starting a social group for Tottenham. I instantly felt excited about it. I imagined that there must be other people who were in a similar situation and felt the same way. I asked a good friend of mine if they thought it was a good idea and if people would be open to it.

I received a lot of encouragement and then the Tottenham Art Group was created in April. We are now on MeetUp.com with over 100 members, over 70 Likes on Facebook and over 370 followers on Twitter so far.

What’s the objective?

The objective is to get locals living in and around Tottenham to get together and have fun in the local area without boarding a night bus or worrying about catching the last tube to get home. It's an opportunity to get to know others by trying something new and go away feeling that you're becoming part of the local community.

What’s the vibe?

Excitement! New and new people are coming along to the socials after hearing about it either through Meet Up, Facebook, Twitter or by word of mouth. People are excited to meet others and really look forward to the next socials coming up.

Who is it for?

Everyone from those who have just moved in to those who've lived in Tottenham for years. At our recent meet up in September, we had a 'who's lived in Tottenham the longest' competition. A lady called Sandy won hands down at 49 years.

What’s your favourite thing to do in the area?

I really love walking around Tottenham and discovering the numerous green spaces as well as admiring some of the most beautiful Victorian houses/cottages there are in the conservation areas of Tottenham.

What’s for favourite hangout spot?

That's a difficult one as there are very few places to hang out in Tottenham. Someone should do something about that. They would make a killing if someone opened a decent pub/bar in the area. I do find myself going for walks in Lordship Rec as it's on my door step and love spending time near the lake. It's beautifully landscaped and makes you feel far away from city life.

What one thing could you change/do differently in Haringey if you had a magic wand?

Change people's perception of Tottenham. Make the High Road nicer to look at or walk along. Celebrate and educate people about the historical buildings/monuments we have in Tottenham. More restaurants, more places for people to meet and gather. Hmmmm, I think I'll need more than one wand...

Who’s the most interesting person you’ve met in the area?

I've met so many lovely and interesting people so I wouldn't know where to start. But I recently met a girl at a bus stop who seemed like she was waiting for the bus for a while. I used my bus app on my phone to check when the next bus was due, when she asked which bus app I was using as the one she had wasn't working properly.

I told her which app it was and the bus wasn't coming for another 15 mins. It was better to walk to the next bus stop where they were more bus options. She didn't believe it was worth walking but she decided to accompany me to see if I could make it to the next bus stop in my heels before the bus arrived.

In that time, I found out her name was Savannah and she was trying to get to Primark before it closed at 7pm to buy a jacket for an interview the next day. We found out we were both the same age and she was also a born-and-bred Londoner but from the north west and moved to Tottenham about a year or two ago and didn't really know anyone.

I told her about the social group and wished her luck for the interview. She was lovely and friendly and I hope she got the job. Oh and we did make it to the next bus stop in my heels just before the bus arrived.

Name your bus/train?

Victoria Line - The vein from north to south London in 30 pumping minutes

Name your Haringey park?

Lordship Recreation Ground

Name your shop/local?

Baran Butchers on Lordship Lane. Four quails for a fiver!

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