Sevtlana Edwards outside Charis Beauty Clinic

A beauty salon in Angel is getting social to combat loneliness and encourage women to find their voice.

Sevtlana Edwards launched the Talk Pictures project at Charis Beauty Clinic. The clinic offers one to one Talk Pictures sessions, or the chance to join in a small group of up to four people.

Sevtlana said: “When I was child growing up, I was painfully shy. My grandmother encouraged us all to speak out – she was very wise. We were from a very big family and we were responsible for each other. She must have seen something in me because now I love to talk and of course to listen.

“Loneliness is just a part of my Talk Pictures vision. It was launched last year to encourage people of all ages to talk to each other and find their voice. It is very social space and if you’re feeling lonely or just want to talk and share a story about yourself this could be the place for you.

“I love the idea of people talking and listening and sharing what’s on their heart.The human voice is unique and everyone has a story to tell. We hear a lot about depression today, I believe learning to talk about how we’re feeling in a safe space could help prevent this from happening.”

Sevtlana has worked in the beauty industry since 1976.

Her next Talk Pictures group workshop will take place on the 30th April 2019. To request a free space call 07882893067 to book.

Charis Beauty Clinic, at 24 Arlington Way, EC1, celebrates its 25th year in June.

Art of remembrance on the estate

Yasemin Der with her brother Berkan in front of her artwork CREDIT: CLAUDIA JANKE

A series of exhibitions is running at a gallery off Essex Road, celebrating the work of residents on the Packington estate.

Yasemin Der, 26, was born on the estate and lives there today.

Her first solo exhibition, When the Nose Drops, portrays the Muslim burial process in a collection of eight paintings, echoing the eight stages of abdest, an Islamic act of washing parts of the body using water for ritual prayers.

It is being shown as part of the PACK_ITON project showcasing local artists work. Yasemin’s exhibition is running until April 14 at the Packington Gallery.

Yasemin says: “The reason for calling the exhibition When the Nose Drops is because the nose is the first part of the body that falls off. When this event occurs, we have a gathering called a mevlit where we pray and then serve sweet and savoury dishes.”

Yasemin says she performed the Muslim burial process for the first time when her grandmother passed away in 2014, and says it is symbolic of wrapping a baby in a white blanket and handing it to the mother, and at the end of their life, bodies are wrapped in a blanket and given back to God.

“I could not come to terms with the loss and wanted to be able to show that through my artwork,”says Yasemin.“The painting is a surreal, totally out- of-body experience. My paintings are an act of remembrance. Each brush stroke is not a literal record of the events but an emotional re-enactment.”

Ross Belton, 55, who also lives on the Packington estate, is showcasing sculptures made from locally sourced materials, including from the canal towpath. His work will be on show from April 17-21 at the gallery.

PACK_ITON is a social arts project based around the estate as it nears completion of a second complete demolition and rebuild in less than 50 years.

Packington Gallery is at 8 Prebend Street, N1 7DF, open Tuesday 6-8pm and Wednesday- Sunday 12-5pm. The PACK_ITON exhibition runs until April 28.

Peter’s marathon for dog charity

Peter Smorthit dressed for the marathon

A paraplegic resident from Finsbury Park is taking part in the Goodwood Marathon this Sunday, wearing a bright yellow Teletubby outfit.

Peter Smorthit, 27, will be completing the full 26-mile course in his wheelchair. He is raising money for DOG A.I.D, a charity helping people with disabilities to train their pet to become a life-saving assistant dog.

An accident in 2011 left Peter paralysed and a full-time wheelchair user. He has no sensation or motor function below spinal level, has survived sepsis and suffered from two strokes since the accident. Despite this, Peter is determined to live an active life and regularly plays wheelchair tennis and basketball.

“I won’t let my disabilities stop me,” Peter says, “which is why I am fundraising for Dog A.I.D. and squeezing in as much as I can out of each and every day.

“I think Dog A.I.D.’s approach is a breath of fresh air as they allow people to work with their own pet dog in conjunction with a volunteer trainer. I’m proud to support a brilliant cause that allows people to lead as normal life as possible, despite their condition, with the help of an Assistance Dog by their side. This is my way of saying a massive thanks to Dog A.I.D. and helping to raise funds to give disabled people a new lease of life.”

To donate visit: =”http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/peter-smorthit-goodwood-marathon-for-dogaid”>www.justgiving.com/fundraising/peter-smorthit-goodwood-marathon-for-dogaid

More information about Dog A.I.D at https://dogaid.org.uk/

The Goodwood marathon is taking place at the motor racing ground, the Goodwood Motor Circut in West Sussex.

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