SAM IKHUORIA, ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE FOR INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES - NEWHAM - HERITAGE MONTH 2025

As part of Newham Heritage Month 2025, Newham-based visual artist Sam Ikhuoria completed a two-week residency at Alice Billing House. His work was developed in response to the theme Inspector of Nuisances, a title once used for sanitation inspectors in the 19th century, and his reflection on the layered histories of Alice Billing House over the past 60 years.

Process

Sam’s residency pushed the boundaries of painting by turning his body into an instrument for making. Using objects such as dismantled fan parts, he created attachments that held brushes, turning them into wearable body extensions. With these adaptations, Sam painted through bodily movements, making physical gestures onto the canvas. 

This process allowed him to create expressive abstract surfaces, before layering them with detailed visual elements that referenced the building’s civic and social histories. This method allowed him to merge a performative making with historical memory within the painting.

Conceptualisation

Sam’s approach was inspired by artist Rebecca Horn, known for her body modification and wearable sculpture. He used this influence to experiment with the tension between restriction and freedom, control and spontaneity. Working in this way, Sam explored how art can embody personal expression and history. He aimed to create site-responsive visual work that communicates the hidden stories of Alice Billing House, from its time as firemen’s accommodation, to its later use as a homeless shelter, environmental health council offices, and as a film set for the BBC’s living series ‘The Victorian Slum’ in 2016.

Research

Sam’s artwork was shaped by local research and the Newham Archive. He met with local historians Peter Williams and Mark Gorman, who both provided background context detailing the fire brigade history of Alice Billing House and Alice Billing herself. Walking around the building with Peter gave Sam insights into the social surroundings. Mark Gorman shared valuable historical knowledge of Alice Billing herself, helping to contextualise the pioneering woman whose name the building carries. This research fed directly into the visual elements of Sam’s work.

The Residency

During his time at Alice Billing House, Sam created a series of site-responsive work. The work response explored Alice Billing House as more than just architecture, but also a civic space carrying memory, care and transformation. The residency provided space for experimentation and heritage engagement within a supportive environment. Supported by and working alongside Frames of Mind in the Inspector of Nuisances project, Sam was able to shape and develop his work within the context of heritage and collective storytelling.

Reflections

“This residency gave me the chance to use my practice to approach a heritage-focused project in a new way. It offered the space to experiment, and to reflect on how history, memory and movement can be expressed differently through painting. Alice Billing House is full of stories, some recorded, some forgotten and reimagined, and my aim was to re-tell some of those narratives visually through art. This opportunity has been invaluable to my practice.

The Collage & Converse workshop was an exciting highlight to facilitate. Seeing participants enjoy the process and contribute their own creative responses was fantastic. It reinforced how art can open up dialogue in unexpected ways. I owe much of my experience to the Grow Studios team, whose support not only made the residency possible but also encouraged meaningful exchanges with other professionals in the building.

Looking ahead, I plan to continue exploring performance-driven visual art, pushing further into the relationship between body, movement and storytelling. This residency has strengthened my commitment in working within the arts and cultural landscape, and to developing projects that weave together community and expressive work. To follow my journey, you can see more of my work and development at The SHAPES UK, Instagram @theshapesuk”

Exhibition

Sam Ikhuoria’s work created during his residency will be exhibited at the Inspector of Nuisances Celebration at Alice Billing House on Thursday, 18 September, 6:30 - 8:30pm

The final collection will be ready early next year. Watch this space.