20 young artists have showcased their work for the first time in front of leading creative industry organisations and local creative stars.
Last Thursday (10 September), twenty young artists from Redbridge took their first major step into the creative industries, showcasing their original work publicly for the first time at the Colours of Redbridge Portfolio Showcase.
Hosted by two successful creatives with strong connections to the local area – BAFTA-winning actor, comedian and presenter Mawaan Rizwan, known for Taskmaster and Juice, and LESiA, rapper and star of Rap Game UK – the showcase brought together the young artists, their families, creative practitioners and representatives from some of the UK’s leading cultural organisations.
Among those attending were representatives from BBC Music, Roundhouse, V&A and London College of Fashion, alongside East London organisations Space Studios, Redbridge Youth Council and Picture East. The event gave the young artists an opportunity not only to celebrate their achievements, but to feature their work directly in front of people working across the creative sector.
The showcase marked the culmination of Portfolio, a free summer creative development programme designed to give young people from Redbridge the skills, confidence, professional connections and creative opportunities they need to take their next steps in the industry.
The artwork will be available to see at Redbridge Central Library and Fullwell Cross Library later in the year and as part of an interactive website.
The young artists were supported throughout the summer by a programme of workshops, masterclasses, mentoring and industry visits, enabling them to experiment with new creative techniques while developing the digital and professional skills needed to build a high-quality portfolio for future employment, further education and artistic opportunities. Their projects reflected the breadth of talent developed through Portfolio, spanning photography, DJing, concept art, filmmaking and music production.
Learning from the creative industries
Portfolio brought established creative practitioners directly into the programme, giving participants the chance to learn from professionals working at the highest levels of their respective fields.
Masterclass Leaders included:
- Almass Badat – DJing: BBC Asian Network resident DJ and established performer, with appearances including Glastonbury and SXSW Austin.
- Compiler – Concept Art: Digital art collective led by Tanya Boyarkina and Oscar Cass-Darweish, whose work explores social and political challenges within digital culture and has included collaboration with the V&A.
- Jeremy Ngatho Cole – Filmmaking: Award-winning filmmaker, creative director and artist whose work includes collaborations with Jorja Smith, Ezra Collective and Little Simz.
- Kareem Abdul – Photography: London-based photographer and moving-image artist whose clients include Adidas, Vogue Scandinavia and G-Shock.
- True Cadence CIC – Music Production: Multi-award-winning social music enterprise based in Barking and Dagenham, supporting emerging musicians to develop their skills and become industry-ready.
Alongside the practical sessions, participants took part in industry “go-see” visits, including events at BBC Music and V&A East, giving them an insight into professional creative environments and the range of careers available across the sector.
Celebrating local talent
Portfolio Ambassador Mawaan Rizwan said:
“This programme is a major moment for Redbridge. It gives young creatives the chance to build their portfolios, gain exposure and learn directly from professionals who know the industry inside out. Seeing local talent get these kinds of opportunities is fantastic — I wish there was something like this when I was growing up in the area.”
Portfolio Ambassador LESiA said:
“Portfolio is about opening doors for young people in Redbridge who may not otherwise have access to creative pathways. This programme gives them the space, skills and confidence to explore their ideas, work with industry professionals and build something they can be genuinely proud of.”
Portfolio Artist Skai said:
“This project has expanded my view of what it means to be creative. I had the opportunity to try new things like DJing and creating 3D models. I think working across multiple mediums is crucial in this age of AI. Rather than outsourcing our creativity, we have found that collaboration and using our voice is our greatest strength.”
Portfolio Artist Haripriya said:
“The Portfolio Programme has been an amazing experience and an important step in my creative journey. I had the opportunity to explore different digital art forms and develop my portfolio with valuable guidance and support. I’m already beginning to see new approaches and opportunities coming my way after the programme, which makes the experience even more meaningful. I’m truly grateful to Colours of Redbridge and the A New Direction team for creating such a wonderful platform for artists to learn, create and grow.”
The evening also included a certificate presentation, recognising the commitment and achievements of all 20 participants and marking their successful completion of the programme.
For some young artists, the programme may also open the door to further industry opportunities and connections, including potential exposure to organisations such as Universal Music.
Portfolio is supported by A New Direction and Foundation for Future London, with additional funding from Redbridge Neighbourhood CIL.
