A new exhibition is coming to Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery this Friday offering an insight into hundreds of young people's experiences of race, identity and inequality in society today.

The radical exhibition 'Who Are We? Navigating Race, Class and the City' was curated and created by young people from Bollo Studios, the creative arm of Bollo Brook Youth Centre, in South Acton.

The ongoing regeneration of Acton, where the youth centre is situated, is a theme that runs through the exhibition.

Places of significance to the young people within Acton are illustrated in one mosaic work, from the youth centre to a chicken shop, public art to religious buildings – many which have since been demolished.

Bollo Studios also worked with JE Delve and children and young people from Bashley Road Travellers Site in North Acton to create a mosaic of imagery relating to Traveller culture.

An artist statement from Bollo Studios (Ami Kourouma) said: "These tales of modern-day inequalities, identities and injustice will not find easy answers in good intentions or policy changes alone.

"It is only by asking ourselves difficult questions about our own conditioning and the role of race, class and the urban environment in ours and others' experiences, like we have in this collection of works, that we can really start to understand the role they play in our society."

The exhibition has been put together with artists and local partners over a three-year period and includes film, sculpture, fashion, painting and audio.

'Who Are We?' was inspired by conversations with young people at Bollo Studios about race and racism and developed into a wide-ranging exploration of the complex and challenging realities that the group of predominantly black and minority ethnic young people face as they carve out their place in the world.

Artworks on display will include a new film, Bando, which explores the perceived lack of choice faced by marginalised young people; a mosaic work illustrating disappearing landmarks of an Acton undergoing regeneration; photographic portraits which examine how young people feel they are seen by others; and an audio installation giving voice to young people's experiences of race and racism.

Clare Gough, Director of Pitzhanger said: "We are proud to have partnered with young artists from Bollo to present this powerful new exhibition and its related programme of events that use art to reveal vital insights and experiences from this group of very talented young people.

"In hosting this exhibition here at Pitzhanger we are continuing our spirit of debate of critical issues."

'Who Are We?' will run from 26 November 2021 to 13 February 2022 at Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery.

Book tickets HERE.