INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES
Photography by Monika Szolle Branding
An Into to Alice Billing and the project
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.
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 explored issues from past and present, ranging from litter and public sanitation to invisible labour and intergenerational legacies. Frames of Mind 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 co-created film can be viewed further down the page.
The films were projected straight onto the brickwork of our courtyard, creating an atmospheric setting
Screening in the court yard
Sam Ikhuoria, a Newham artist, exhibited the work he produced during his artist residency, completed in July. 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.
Art-in-resedient Sam and local Historian Mark Gorman in font of Sam’s work
Drinks 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!
The film produced by Frames of Mind with community members responding to Alice Billing’s story
“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, they held tutorials for the participants to have personal expression and a shared sense of cultural belonging to the area, Newham.
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.
Writing the script for the video reminded me of being part of design studios at university and how much I enjoyed learning about different art mediums. I left the experience not only creatively invigorated but also with a deeper appreciation for how vital organisations like Frames of Mind are in cultivating a richer, more inclusive cultural landscape.”
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