February – July 2022

Through the mediums of performance, video and photography, collaboration and conversation, Harold Offeh is an artist who develops work that responds to places, situations and histories. Often the artist inhabits or embodies these histories, using humour to confront the viewer with alternative, forgotten or censored narratives.

WALK THE TALK (& EAT THE FEAST) with Harold Offeh
A film by Miles Umney

In February 2022, Harold Offeh invited local people to be his tour guides of Milton Keynes. He was interested in what an encounter between a curious visitor – unfamiliar with a place and its history – and the people embedded in that place, would lead to. The artist was taken on guided walks of Wolverton, Great Linford, Central Milton Keynes and Bletchley. In each of these areas, the tour guides shared their knowledge with the artist and each other and, over the course of the walks, the guides came to better appreciate both their neighbourhoods and their own expertise.

In April, Offeh returned to Milton Keynes. This time, the artist worked with the same groups to create a collective map of Milton Keynes formed from individually-made tablecloths, candles and plates – all sculpted or decorated to reflect the stories, places and histories that had been revealed to him. This unconventional map celebrates the fact that a place is not navigated by roads and paths alone, but also by the individual and collective memories and experiences of those who live there, as well as its curious visitors.

EAT THE FEAST

Thank you to everyone who attended EAT THE FEAST on Thursday 7 July at MK Gallery as the conclusion of our WALK THE TALK project with Harold Offeh. It was great to bring together plates, sculpted candles, tablecloths and recipes created by people in Milton Keynes, each telling a story about their maker and where they live.

An amazing feast of dishes chosen by the project participants was served and Harold acted as master of a Milton Keynes-themed quiz. Some of the questions posed are provided here. Why not test your own knowledge of MK?

Round 1: General 

1. What is the population of the urban area of Milton Keynes (MK)?
2. Which star sign is MK? Bonus point for MK’s exact birthday?
3. How many public works of art does MK have?

Round 2: Bletchley

1. Bletchley’s name dates back to the 12th Century, but what does it mean?
2. Who is the community centre in West Bletchley (Melrose Ave) named after?

Round 3: Wolverton

1. Name the big park adjacent to Wolverton?
2. When was Wolverton’s Community Orchard Group founded?

Round 4: MK Central

1. Which Superman film used MK Central as a set for the United Nations?
2. What is the name of company that operates MK’s famous delivery Robots?

Round 5: Great Linford

1. Great Linford has a grade II listed Church, but which saint is it named after? 
   a) St Peter
   b) St Linford
   c) St Andrew
   
   
2. Great Linford is home to Milton Keynes Arts Centre, but when did it become established as an arts centre?
   a) 1974
   b) 1967
   c) 1999

Answers here

A selection of the objects created as part of the project will be displayed at Milton Keynes Arts Centre until Wednesday 27 July before being returned to their makers. The Arts Centre is open Mon-Wed and Sat 10am – 4pm.

Admission FREE

Find out more about Harold Offeh and his work:
www.haroldoffeh.com ︎︎︎

Supported by Arts Council England