The Bottle Factory opened its doors in October to Old Kent Road – A Neighbourhood Portrait, a community-led exhibition celebrating the creativity, character and sustainable future of one of south east London’s most fast-changing streets.

Over the summer, artists and residents came together to create a multi-layered artwork capturing the spirit of Old Kent Road. Inspired by Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics, the project asked how the neighbourhood could become a place where both people and planet thrive.

Led by our neighbours at F.A.T. Studio, in partnership with the London Doughnut Economy Coalition, the project connected local organisations including Pembroke House, Livesey Exchange, PEMPeople, and Surrey Square School, alongside artists Veronica Meseckas, Minga Mista, Nebojsa Milikic, Ibiye Camp, and Kitty Finer.

Together they created a vivid portrait through film, installation and storytelling — a reflection of life on Old Kent Road in all its complexity and colour.

The exhibition, hosted at The Bottle Factory, collaged together fragments of these shared experiences – from documentary film and neighbourhood mapping to community plan-building and a Talking Circle. Visitors were invited to join the conversation, contribute their own perspectives and explore how creativity can foster connection, belonging and environmental awareness.

Old Kent Road – A Neighbourhood Portrait stands as a celebration of community, collaboration and imagination – a testament to how shared creativity can help shape a thriving, sustainable future for London’s neighbourhoods.