From Indian food in Peckham to church in Hackney: this is Barby Asante's London
London born and bred, Barby Asante is an artist, curator and educator whose work is concerned with the setting up of cross-cultural dialogues, but in a much more entertaining and engaging way than that sounds. She's explored the construction of identity through wigs, turned a gallery into a tearoom and organised a non-professional funk choir. Right now, she's been working with local residents in Peckham to set up the South London Black Music Archive at Peckham Space. This is her London:
Where did you grow up in London?
I was born in King's College Hospital in Denmark Hill, one of twins! We lived in Brixton for a while then moved to South Norwood which meant the stomping ground was Croydon, Thornton Heath, Crystal Palace, West Norwood - deep south London. Then we moved to Plumstead and went to school in Kidbrooke, so then everywhere between Plumstead and Lewisham became growing territory. When I had the choice to live where I wanted I moved to Peckham, then Brixton, and have been here for years.
What does London mean to you?
London is busy, vibrant and diverse, but it also has some incredibly peaceful places. Different places in London have such significance to my life story and although I’ve grown up in south London I’ve got friends and had great London experiences all over the city. Places like Soho, Shepherds Bush, The Kings Road, Portobello Road and around London Bridge have such vivid memories for me. Things like the carnival which I’ve been going to since I was a child, and places like the South Bank, Hampstead Heath, Telegraph Hill and Brockwell Park are all brilliant and significant places. London can be crazy and scary too like last August after the Brixton Splash, just before the riot kicked off, but it’s home.
When you're away, what do you miss about London?
The diversity: people from different backgrounds and cultures live side by side in London, not always harmoniously, but I love that Londoners will always defend the fact of London’s diversity. It’s great coming back into London and seeing different faces, hearing different languages, being able to eat different food and have different cultural experiences on your doorstep.
How would you spend a chilled Sunday afternoon in town?
I would stay away from town! I’d probably start with breakfast at the Lido Café in Brockwell Park, maybe a wander around the park, then walk down to Brixton Village probably ending up at the Agile Rabbit eating pizza and drinking too much wine. Or Battersea Car Boot Fair then a walk around Battersea Park.
Favourite area of London?
Right now it’s Peckham! (Sorry Brixton). I’ve spent a lot of time in Peckham lately and it’s really vibrant, messy and loads of things are happening there. It reminds me a bit of an African Market with everything happening all at once all day and all night. I think Rye Lane is great, a friend who lives in Peckham told me she went for a walk on Christmas Day and on Rye Lane, you could get your hair and nails done, a brand new outfit and all the food for a Christmas dinner!
Favourite restaurant?
This changes all the time. One that I think about and go back to quite a lot is Ganapati, in Peckham: lovely South Indian food.
Favourite bar or pub?
The Effra in Brixton for that local pub atmosphere with a bit of music and also a pleasant mix of old Brixton and new. The Thursday jazz/ska night is good fun down there. I also like the New Empowering Church in Hackney.
Favourite gallery or museum?
Oh that’s a hard one! I like spaces like Peckham Space, the Showroom, CGP London, 198 - art spaces in areas that you don’t expect galleries to be. These spaces have to work harder to get audiences and they do great work and you’re often surprised at what they do. I also quite like the Horniman Museum, I used to go there a lot as a child.
Name something that's better about London now than when you were growing up?
Night buses don’t all go from Trafalgar Square and you don’t have to wait an hour for them!
And something that was better back then?
The 60p Red Bus Rover, you could go anywhere in London for just 60p: many a bored teenage day was spent out on the buses! And also we’re now losing all our independent shops and street markets.
Tell us a (London) secret.
Not sure I should... You sometimes find the odd celebrity selling their wares at Battersea Car Boot Fair.
The South London Black Music Archive is at Peckham Space until 24th March 2012.
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