Curtains by Lubaina Himid
We are delighted to share a series of never-seen-before paintings by exhibition artist Lubaina Himid at the Meadows Community Centre in Cambridge.
Commissioned as part of Another Chance Encounter, the paintings depict some of Lubaina’s favourite things from her own life which bring about feelings of nostalgia. They are shown against a background of very instinctual and colourful patterns, and the titles of each artwork call on memories from our own senses. The paintings are designed as a series of long banners, referencing the curtains that traditionally hung in shop doorways. They sit along the Meadows central staircase.
Responding to the artworks
We are now working with the local community and artists Rose Feather and Sandra Scott to create a response to the artworks. The community’s new artworks will then be displayed once Another Chance Encounter closes.
Workshops with the community have explored texture, colours, pattern and grids as well as objects which have special meaning or nostalgia. The artists have been working with families from the Red Hen Project and the Meadows Holiday Lunches as well as participants of the Corona House art club and visitors to Arbury Carnival.
Display the curtains in your shop
The series of curtains were originally designed to be displayed in the doorways between the back stores and front salesrooms of local shops. If any local shopkeepers would like to permanently display one of Lubaina Himid’s curtains, please contact openhouse@kettlesyard.cam.ac.uk
Visit the display
See the curtains on display at the Meadows before the exhibition closes on 2 November 2025. The centre is open to the public from 9am to 5pm every Monday to Friday, except on bank holidays.
Another Chance Encounter
Learning and Community
