Migrate Journeys - launch at Chisenhale Gallery

This spring, Chisenhale Gallery will host the launch of Migrate Journeys, a new artwork and programme of events celebrating untold histories of migration to Tower Hamlets. The project is a collaboration between architect Shahed Saleem, artist and photographer Rehan Jamil and Mile End Community Project.

Since 2019, the creative team has attempted to capture the manifold and complex migration stories of first—and second-generation immigrants from across Tower Hamlets through one-on-one interviews and a series of workshops in the community.

This growing and original archive of oral histories provides a unique insight into the profound difficulties of the journeys of interviewees, the resilience of the communities that embarked on them, and the triumphs and challenges of assimilation.

Drawing from this extensive research, Migrate Journeys gives physical form to the captivating stories of migration the artists have collected, existing as a steelwork structure displaying portraits of participants and extracts of their testimony. Resting on reclaimed railway carriage wheels, the scaffold-like installation evokes movement, labour and the making of new worlds.

Developed over two years with support from the Mayor of London, this new mobile installation will be unveiled at Chisenhale Gallery before touring public spaces across Tower Hamlets and beyond later this Spring and Summer, inviting reflection and discussion around the fundamental contribution of immigration to civic life and the social fabric of the capital.

Join us for the launch of the project and a series of free events, workshops, film screenings and talks across the weekend with key speakers and poets about the wider project and history of migration in Tower Hamlets, including Dr Georgie Wemyss, David Rosenberg, Kinsi Abdulleh, Samira El Bahja, Munira Pilgrim, Jamal Mahmood & Hassan Mahamdallie.

Founded in 1995 by a group of young, forward-thinking volunteers, (MCP) has evolved into a beloved community hub renowned for its creative initiatives and exceptional film production capabilities. Under the guidance of co-founder Nurull Islam, MCP has delivered a diverse array of social and educational activities. He has spearheaded multiple award-winning projects, addressing grassroots concerns with creativity and insight. Additionally, as an Honorary Fellow at Queen Mary University of London, Nurull collaborates with various universities and departments, facilitating community engagement initiatives.

is an architect, author and academic at the University of Westminster. His research explores the architecture of diaspora communities, in particular, their relationship to heritage and belonging, whilst his design and installation work employs processes of improvisation, appropriation and collaboration. His research explores the architecture of diaspora communities, in particular, their relationship to heritage and belonging, whilst Saleem co-curated the V&A Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2021, and his book ‘The British Mosque’ was published in 2018 by Historic England, which is the first comprehensive account of Muslim architecture in Britain. His research explores the architecture of diaspora communities, in particular, their relationship to heritage and belonging. His design work has previously been nominated for the V&A Jameel Prize and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, and his research work won a RIBA Presidents Medal for Research commendation 2020 and was nominated for the Historic England Angel Award and the SAHGB Colvin Prize 2019.

is a British Pakistani social documentary photographer who focuses on marginalised communities, with a particular emphasis on British Muslims across the UK. His notable project, 'The East End of Islam' (1997-2007), concentrated on the Muslim community in Tower Hamlets, London. In 2003, he was commissioned by The British Council for 'Common Ground,' a global touring exhibition on Muslim identity. Commissioned by the Young V&A in 2023. 'This is Me' features portraits of local children expressing their creativity through imagination. The photographs are on permanent display at the museum. During a 2-year residency (2022-2024) commissioned by Historic England for ‘Picturing High Streets; Petticoat Lane’ Rehan worked with residents, shopkeepers, and Tiger Class at Canon Barnett Primary School to co-produce a body of work documenting Petticoat Lane, London. Photographs captured are now included in the Historic England Archive. Rehan’s work has been exhibited at venues including the Whitechapel Gallery, Stephen Lawrence Gallery, Richmix, and the Soho Photo Quarter at The Photographers’ Gallery, London.

has worked in Tower Hamlets for over three decades, in the 1980s as a youth and community worker and from the 1990s as an FE College tutor. She currently lectures and co-directs the Centre for Research on Migration, Refugees and Belonging (CMRB) at the University of East London (UEL). Her first book The Invisible Empire: white discourse, tolerance and belonging (Routledge 2016) was based on her PhD, an ethnographic investigation, focused on events in East London into the repetitive burying of British Empire histories of violence in local and national political and media narratives.

David Rosenberg is an educator, writer and tour guide specialising in London’s radical history, with a particular focus on East London. He is the author of Battle for the East End (2011), and Rebel Footprints (2nd edition 2019). He has been leading walking tours in the East End since 2007. www.eastendwalks.com

Kinsi Abdulleh has worked in East London for thirty years. She is an interdisciplinary artist and co-director of Numbi, a Somali-led, African-centred culture and heritage organisation. Numbi’s work centres on people whose voices are suppressed or ignored, both within their own communities and in wider society. Their latest project is the Somali Museum, which was crowdfunded over the Spring lockdown.

is a sociologist and social anthropologist based at the Stephen Lawrence Research Centre at De Montfort University. She specialises on the Bangladeshi community in the UK, with a focus on Tower Hamlets, Luton and Birmingham. Her book, British Bangladesh Muslims in the East End: The Changing Landscape of Dress and Language, will be published this summer with Manchester University Press, She is also one of the founders of Nijjor Manush, an independent organising group consisting of Bangladeshis from across the UK.

Sam El Bahja is a Moroccan-Thai poet and artist rooted in East London Tower Hamlets. Currently embarking on her architectural journey at the University of Cambridge, she's not just studying structures; she's crafting bridges between cultures and communities. In Sam's world, art is more than expression—it's a lifeline for the unheard, a beacon of hope for the overlooked. Through her words, she proves that even in the quietest whispers, there lies great power.

is an international Poet, Cultural Producer, Writer, Broadcaster and TEDx speaker. She co-founded the Muslim Hip-Hop and spoken word duo Poetic Pilgrimage, and she is a co-founder of a new platform, Black Muslim Women Bike.

Jamal Mahmood is a writer and filmmaker based in London. He works across poetry, short fiction and essays. His work has appeared on BBC4, Popula and Magma and he has been shortlisted for the Outspoken Prize for Poetry in Film. His latest book ‘The Leaf of the Neem Tree’ is published by Hajar Press.

is an author, commentator, playwright and theatre director. He started out as an actor/teacher in Theatre in Education and Community Theatre in the 1980s. He is Director of the progressive UK fellowship, the Muslim Institute, and senior editor of its journal, Critical Muslim. Hassan is the founder of the theatre company Dervish Productions. His latest play, Quiet Rebels, toured the UK in Autumn 2022. Hassan writes extensively on art, culture and democracy, British working class and Black history and politics, and issues of racism and Islamophobia. He wrote and launched Arts Council England’s Creative Case for Diversity and Equality in the Arts (2011). He has written a political biography of designer/socialist William Morris, edited a book on defending multiculturalism, as well as blogging about his experiences as a working-class kid in the punk rock scene of the 1970s.

Access: The event will be taking place at Chisenhale Gallery. Chisenhale Gallery has flat access with an all-genders, fully accessible toilet. This event will be seated. Please note there is music in the exhibition. Earplugs and ear guards are available for visitors to use. Microphones will be used by all speakers during the event.This event will be documented for marketing and archival purposes. Please visit our for more information prior your visit.

We are committed to ensuring our events are accessible for all. Please contact to discuss your access needs. We will endeavour to meet all requests where possible. Please be advised that requests should be made two weeks in advance of the event.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Chisenhale Gallery, 64 Chisenhale Road, London, United Kingdom