A large pink bear in a cell is part of two exhibitions organised by the art charity that has taken over Hampstead's semi-derelict police station.
Open Cells (November 25-27) sees three artists creating installations in the former station lock-ups in Rosslyn Hill.
Paul Robinson aka LUAP uses his Pink Bear character to explore mental health, isolation and well-being. His installation highlights caged human potential and how we can be incarcerated by our feelings of helplessness, loss or past trauma.
The bear character emerged as a memory during Cognitive Behavioural therapy, and became a symbol of recovery.
"The bear wasn’t hiding in a corner and running away from things, it was really about just standing out and being strong," he says.
The adult-size Pink Bear suit follows him up mountains, through surreal landscapes, busting cities and remote spots.
"In the early days the bear was kind of seeking friendship, but he was lost and caged. Then as I grew and became more confident, it was like the bear was mirroring my personality, like an alter ego."
The Koppel Project, an arts charity supporting early and mid-career artists by offering affordable, communal studio spaces, has temporarily moved into the Grade II listed building while plans for its future are decided.
Closed as a station in 2013, after two failed bids to turn it into a school, it is set to be developed into homes and offices.
Artists Jo de Banzie and Eleanor Engle have also responded to the cells as a place of detainment for more than a century, and a container of the memories of those passing through.
Photographic artist de Banzie captured reminders of the building's past life which will be lost when it's redeveloped. Using an antique photographic process she foregrounds the paintwork, high walled cells, and small gridded windows as places to contain occupants whose anger, despair and regret are soaked into the fabric of the building.
She contrasts those images with views out of the window allowing the healing calm of nature to invade, and constructing a more positive narrative for the Station as it transitions towards a new phase in its history.
From December 10-11 another exhibition, Arresting Images runs in the station's community space. Seven painters including two who have studios there display their work. All hail from north London and all met on the Turps mentorship programme for London based painters.
The scheme is mentored by Grant Foster who curates and exhibits alongside Anastasia Russa and Corrie Wingate, both based at the Station, and Stephen Buckeridge, David Caines, Gabrielle Eber, and Andy Metcalf.
Wingate a Highgate artist whose often paints in Kenya where she set up an art school said: "Artists used to be at the forefront of the community in Hampstead but due to rising house prices they were pushed out.
"Because of the Koppel Project contemporary practicing artists are back trying to make a living through art."
The former photographer signed up for an intial 18 month studio space in the station's former legal aid department.
"I had been looking for studio space for two years and it's so rare to get something local. Now I can walk across the Heath to work - I'm in heaven.
"Initially it was quite creepy, not just the cells but the upstairs, nobody had been using it and it still had an old energy of discontent. It was a strange feeling because the bulding was all about the law and was once part of the community.
"Once the artists started coming there was bustle and music, and the fridge was filled. Now it's a place of work, there's a really lovely creative energy. We're all there to support one another and we've brought something extra to the place with life drawing classes and workshops."
Of the exhibition she says the painters offer mutual support and contextualise each other's work.
"The gallery is still a community room in an old police station it's a transient space moving from one purpose to another."
Corrie Wingate is running a free acrylic painting workshop for young people in the station gallery on December 11. Booking essential in store at Cass Art Hampstead, all materials provided. https://www.cassart.co.uk/koppel
Open Cells runs 10am-6pm November 24-27. Arresting Images runs December 9-13. For more about The Koppel Project Station: https://thekoppelproject.com/events
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