Artwork from Peter Bedford Housing Association’s social enterprise, Outpost, could soon be hanging on the walls of No. 10 Downing Street. Speaking to the Sunday Times, Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn has pledged that, if elected, he will display works by PBHA artists in the country’s most famous residence.

Corbyn already owns one painting by Roy Appleton, a participant on PBHA’s Supporting Makers programme, which is hanging in his home in Islington. Roy, who paints abstract art, was delighted to hear about the prospect of his paintings hanging in Downing Street. “Seeing my work in there would sure get my mojo back. It’s lovely news – fame at last!”

Prime Ministers have access to the government’s collection of state-owned masterpieces by leading artists such as John Constable, Lucien Freud, Barbara Hepworth and Tracey Emin.  However, Corbyn has said he would approach PBHA, after first purchasing artwork from Outpost in 2013.  “I enjoy abstract art and have some friends around here who have painted some”

Roy has had two exhibitions at Outpost through our Supporting Makers programme. Jeremy Corbyn purchased Yellow Red Orange at the Weather Beaten exhibition in 2013 and is still a big fan.  “When he bought my first painting, I got to meet him in person. After that, whenever he sees me, he says, ‘Hello, I look at that painting every day when I wake up”

Supporting Makers provides a programme of support and a platform for disadvantaged artists and makers in North and East London. Makers can access studio space and creative guidance at The Workshop as well as the opportunity to exhibit and sell their work at Outpost, our social enterprise shop and art gallery on Holloway Road. Through the programme, we help people develop their creative talents and challenge stigma around issues such as mental health.

Our current exhibition at Outpost is Face to Face, an exhibition of embroidered textiles and mixed media portraiture by participants on creative courses at PBHA, taught in collaboration with the WEA. Visitors are invited to view the exhibition, which is taking place as part of London Creativity and Wellbeing Week, between Saturday 3rd June and Saturday 22nd July.

To find out more about the projects we run, please see our prospectus here.

If you would like to support our work, click here.