Nostalgic artwork showcases East London streets three decades on 

Commercial Road, Whitsunday, 1989 Pic: Doreen Fletcher/Nunnery Gallery

Doreen Fletcher had been painting East London street scenes for over 2 decades until she gave up in 2004, discouraged by the lack of recognition.   Now, with the help of local Shoreditch blogger The Gentle Author, her works are finally on display to a wider audience.

According to Bow Arts, a charity that supports artists in the local community in East London, Doreen’s paintings are being exhibited for the first time in a retrospective, curated by The Gentle Author.  The venue is the Nunnery Gallery in East London, a free public gallery which exhibits contemporary art with a focus upon uncovering East London’s history and heritage.  Her work will be on display from Friday January 25 to Sunday, March 24.

Fletcher’s paintings are very eye-catching and colourful, and depict everyday images of East London life.

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Produced between 1983 – 2004, they provide a record of how drastically the area has changed over the years, offering images of buildings that have long since been demolished and serving as a compelling reminder of how East London is in a state of constant transition and renewal.

Her paintings offer vivid snapshots of life at a specific place and time and include : Whit Sunday, Commercial Road, 1989; Corner Shop, Canning Town, 1994; Bartlett Park, Poplar, 1990; Rene’s Cafe, Bow, 1986; Bus Stop, Mile End, 1983; Commercial Road in the snow, Limehouse, 2003; Launderette, Ben Jonson Road, Bow, 1983; The Puballi Cafe, Commercial Road, Limehouse,  1996; Salmon Lane in the rain, Bow, 1987

Doreen Fletcher in her studio Pic: Doreen Fletcher/Nunnery Gallery

The exhibition shows the full breadth of Fletcher’s work and includes many previously unseen paintings from private collections.

For more information head to: Bow Arts and Doreen Fletcher

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