INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES
Photography by Monika Szolle Branding
The Alice Story; Context and Response.
On 18 September, we invited guests to an evening celebrating the work created by artist-in-residence Sam Ikhuoria, studio holders Frames of Mind, and local residents for our Newham Heritage Month project: Inspector of Nuisances.
The event marked the culmination of a collective response to Alice Billing and to the last sixty years of the historic building named after her. ‘Inspector of Nuisances’ was the official job title for sanitation inspectors in the 19th century. In her role, Alice Billing provided vital advocacy for working women and their well-being in an environment dominated by male officials and deprivation. For this project, we held two open calls: one was for a local trainee, Heritage Producer, to work with Frames or Mind, and the other was for an art-in-residence to produce art from themes derived from the history of the building.
MAKING A FILM
The projected installation featured playful and personal stop-frame animations and digital media produced during creative community workshops. The work explored themes inspired by the Alice Billing story: women’s health, equal rights, and environmental issues.
Over the course of three hands-on sessions, four local participants joined ‘Frames of Mind’ to explore issues from past and present, ranging from litter and public sanitation to invisible labour and intergenerational legacies. They were invited them to bring in personal or found objects which represented a modern-day nuisance as a catalyst for narrative. Participants then learned how to use stop-frame animation and voice-over to express their ideas and bring them to life.
The films were projected straight onto the brickwork of our courtyard, creating an atmospheric setting.
Screening in the court yard
AN ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
Sam Ikhuoria, a Newham artist, exhibited the work he produced during his artist residency, completed in July 2025. His practice responded to the multifaceted uses of Alice Billing House over the last 60 years - from former firemen’s accommodation to a homeless shelter, to environmental health council offices, to a film set. Sam’s approach was inspired by artist Rebecca Horn, known for her body modification and wearable sculpture. Drawing on this influence, he experimented with the tension between restriction and freedom, control and spontaneity. A video of him at work accompanied the exhibition, helping viewers understand this unusual process
Artist-in-resedient Sam and local Historian Mark Gorman in font of Sam’s work
Drinks courtesy of Grow Hackney (a venue part of Grow Studios in Hackney) were also served that echoed the era in which Alice Billing worked: a gimlet-style cocktail of gin and rosemary. Rosemary, long associated with fidelity and memory, was valued for its strong aroma and alleged rejuvenating properties. Gin, meanwhile, was a popular drink of the 1800s, often used for medicinal purposes in concoctions such as the gin and tonic.
A heartfelt thank you to all the guests who came to support and celebrate, as well as to the community members who took part in the workshops. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Muses on Modern Day Nuisances - a collection of short animations produced by Frames of Mind with community members in response to the Alice Billing Story.
WHAT PARTICIPANTS SAID ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE
“Working from the evocative setting of the Alice Billing House, Frames of Mind is dedicated to illuminating local stories through film, stop-frame animation and digital art. At the heart of their work lies a powerful ethos: that storytelling and heritage are inseparable threads within the fabric of community life.
“What struck me most profoundly was their commitment to nurturing creativity at a grassroots level by offering local people not just a platform to share their narratives, but the tools and confidence to shape them by creating an inclusive and imaginative space where people can learn new artistic skills and explore their own voice.
My own journey through the project was transformative. It rekindled a sense of creative agency I hadn’t felt in years and reignited a long-dormant belief in the value of my own voice and work. That renewed confidence inspired me to reapply to university, something I had not previously imagined was within reach this year.
Suaad, Workshop Participant
“It has been a wonderful experience to be the Heritage Producer Trainee with Frames of Mind for their ‘Inspector of Nuisances’ project. As a local resident, it was a valuable opportunity to uncover more about the important legacy of Alice Billing and her role in shaping health, sanitation and the role of women in the workforce in Newham. Equally as a young professional and someone beginning their career as a freelancer in the borough, Frames of Mind have been an incredible organisation to learn from. Their ability to connect with participants, translate creative ideas and remain malleable to last minute changes, is inspiring.
Through this project, we supported the creative journeys of curious local female residents through the use of stop frame animation and digital upskilling in Procreate to produce an outcome many were proud of and wanted to celebrate together. This allowed me to develop really lovely relationships with the women and understand the value of consistent, creative workshops to their lives. Blending this with key historical context, archival material and the power of effective storytelling through video editing, has ensured a deeply rich project. I hope this is the first of many projects I am able to work with Frames of Mind on and one that supports the beginning of a great personal journey into community engagement. ‘
Emily, Trainee Heritage Producer