Artist Ted Tinkler was commissioned last year to create a bespoke piece of art to reflect Camden’s proud LGBT+ history.
Ted worked with members of Camden’s LGBT+ community in 2025, hearing stories, feelings and experiences and researching archives of Camden’s LGBT+ history to inform their new artwork. This involved recording new oral histories, particular projecting voices within Camden’s trans and non-binary communities.
The quilt, entitled “I want it to be abundant […]”, was hand made by Ted, and has been embellished with quotes from these histories and conversations, as well as text drawn from culturally significant spaces such as Gay’s the Word bookshop, Marchmont Street and Camden Lesbian Centre and Black Lesbian Group. The quilt can be seen in the Grand Lobby in Camden Town Hall, Judd Street.
The unveiling was celebrated at an event last week. Members of the public were invited along to see the quilt and hear about its journey through speeches delivered by Ted as well as Cllr Sabrina Francis.
The specially commissioned artwork will be on long-term public display at Camden Town Hall. This artwork is the first permanent commission for Camden Town Hall as part of the Council’s Diversity in the Public Realm strategy, which aims to promote works of marginalised communities. It will also be formally accessioned into the Camden Art Collection and supports the Love Camden Cultural Strategy.
Councillor Sabrina Francis, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Young People and Culture said:
“Our newly published Cultural Strategy aims to dig deep into the shared histories and stories of Camden and its communities – a mission shared with artist Ted Tinkler and their craft. We thank Ted for their invaluable experience and sensibility in immortalising our borough’s LGBT+ past and present through this exceptional work of art.”
Ted Tinkler said:
“A quilt holds time, labour, communities and histories. From 18th century Molly Houses, to Camden Lesbians Centre and the Black Lesbian Group, Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, Switchboard, Club Kali, the Black Cap and more, this new quilt is full of queer stories and histories.
“Thanks to Camden Art Collection and Love Camden for this wonderful commission, now in Camden Town Hall (for the next 5 years!) for anyone to see.”
