Bow Families: stories in lightboxes – silhouette animation making with Reza Ben Gajra
Sunday 25th October 2026 , 11:00am to 1:00pm
Join artist-educator Reza Ben Gajra to bring stories to life as you create your own silhouette stop-motion animation using split-pin paper puppets on a lightbox. Open to children and families of all ages – all materials provided.
Join artist Reza Ben Gajra for a creative silhouette stop-motion animation workshop using split-pin paper puppets on a lightbox. Drawing inspiration from the themes, visual storytelling and cultural narratives explored in Bhajan Hunjan: speaking through materials, children and families will create their own animation by making silhouette puppets and backgrounds from coloured lighting gels and translucent materials.
This hands-on session invites children and parents to work together, exploring identity, memory, community and imagination through moving image and light. Families will experiment with shape, movement and storytelling, transforming their silhouettes into captivating animations while drawing inspiration from Hunjan’s rich artistic practice.
This event is an inclusive, friendly environment which is accessible to all abilities and age groups.
Bow Families is a series of free, drop-in family art workshops that take place on the last Sunday of every month in the Bow Arts Courtyard Room. These sessions are a wonderful opportunity for local families to get creative and try something new! Each session is led by a Bow Arts’ Artist and all materials are provided.
More about Reza Ben Gajra
Reza Ben Gajra is a visual artist living and working in London. His paintings and silverpoint drawings can be viewed at rezabengajra.com. He delivers art and animation workshops in schools and with art organisations, such as Royal Ballet & Opera, Bow Arts, Foundling Museum and the BFI.
Access information
The Bow Arts Trust Courtyard Room has step-free access throughout from street level, including to the accessible toilet, and is service animal friendly. This venue does not have a hearing loop system. Accessible parking is not available on-site.
If you have any questions regarding accessibility at this venue or event, would like to make us aware of any access requirements that you have in advance of visiting, or would like this information in an alternate format including Easy Read, please email nunnery@bowarts.com or call 020 8980 7774 (Ext. 3)
Access requirements could include things like providing equipment, services or support (e.g. information in Easy Read, speech to text software, additional 1:1 support), adjusting workshop timings (e.g. more break times), adjustments to the event space (e.g. making sure you have a table near the entrance) or anything else you can think of!
Transport Information
Opening hours: Mon-Friday, 9am to 5pm
Address: Bow Arts Trust, 183 Bow Road, London, E3 2SJ
Nearest station(s): Bow Road (District and Hammersmith and City lines) is a 6-minute walk away, and Bow Church (DLR) is a 3-minute walk away.
Bus: 205, 25, 425, A8, D8, 108, 276, 488 and 8 all service the surrounding area.
Bike: Bicycle parking is located at Bow Church Station. The nearest Santander Cycles docking station is at Bow Church Station.
