artsdepot marked Our Freedom with To Us It Means, a community‑led exhibition created with people from Burnt Oak and the surrounding areas. Rooted in personal stories, shared histories and lived experience, the project invited local residents to reflect on what freedom means – looking back to the past, grounding themselves in the present, and imagining the futures they hope for.

A Tapestry of Local Voices

Developed through deep listening and relationship‑centred practice, To Us It Means brought together contributions from across Barnet, including members of the local Nepalese and ex‑Gurkha community, families, older residents – with participants ranging in age up to 95 years old. The exhibition wove these voices into a collective portrait of resilience, care and solidarity, highlighting both the freedoms people cherish and the freedoms still contested or denied.

Photography, Archives and Sound

Co‑curated by photographer Bettina Adela and sound artist Brigitte Adela, the exhibition combined photography, archival materials and a sound installation to create an immersive environment in the Apthorp Gallery. Visitors encountered images, memories and recorded voices that revealed the everyday textures of life in Burnt Oak – from stories of migration and community organising to reflections on belonging, identity and hope.

A Space for Reflection and Connection

Throughout its run, the gallery became a site of dialogue, pride and connection. Councillors, artists, families and first‑time visitors stepped into the space to see their community reflected back at them. For many, including over 20 members of the local Nepalese and ex‑Gurkha community, it was their first time inside artsdepot, and the experience of seeing their stories represented helped build trust, cultural confidence and a sense of belonging.

Co‑Creation at the Heart

Produced by Divya Satwani as part of Our Freedom: Then and Now, the project embodied the values of co‑creation and collective care. It demonstrated how community‑led practice can transform a gallery into a place of welcome, representation and shared ownership.