Scan a portrait and learn about the area

More than 50 people including market traders, artists, schoolchildren and a pub landlady were subjects in an interactive photography exhibition which allows visitors to hear about their lives.

Residents in Woolwich were photographed for an exhibition which launched last Tuesday at the Woolwich Creative District.

The portraits were taken of people going about their daily lives from traders working on Beresford Square Market to shoppers in General Gordon Square.

Members of social clubs such as the Caribbean Social Forum and Okey Cokey Nepalese and Gurkha Social Club also featured.

Councillor Miranda Williams, cabinet member for culture, leisure and the third sector said: “Woolwich is a vibrant, buzzing place. The exhibition shows that you just have to scratch the surface to discover all the fantastic things that are happening in and around the area.

“From social clubs for retired members of the Nepalese and Caribbean communities to top family-run restaurants, independent shops and even free knitting and carpentry groups.

“The people in the exhibition will bring back life to the old military buildings in the Arsenal just as the Woolwich Creative District will do too when it opens in 2020.”

Visitors and passers-by will be able to use their phones to scan the portraits to hear the subjects’ stories.

Participants were asked about where they were, what they were doing, their thoughts about Woolwich and forthcoming Woolwich Creative District.

Emile, a fashion designer at the Thames-Side Studios, said: “I think it’s a really good idea. As a creative person, it’s definitely what I see as a good thing.”

Lesley, the landlady of the Earl of Chatham, said: “To actually have a performance on your doorstep will be really good.”

The exhibition is on display in the Woolwich Arsenal on the construction hoardings around Building 19 until the end of the year.