Bow Arts speaks to Imrana Tanveer about her journey with Bow Arts, and conceiving the WOMB programme at Oaklands Rise.
After moving from Karachi, Pakistan to Oaklands Rise, multidisciplinary artist Imrana Tanveer’s first exhibition in London, Expanding Horizons debuted alongside Lisa-Marie Price at The Lab at Oaklands Rise in 2023. Presenting a collection titled ‘Ode to Heaven’, she explored the interweaving tensions between contemporary global issues and climatic concerns.
Imrana has since participated in Take a Seat (2024) at Bow Arts’ Shaftesbury Avenue Takeover, exhibiting ‘The Weight of Belongings’: an interactive fabric installation that explores themes of identity, migration, and the emotional burden of possessions.
We spoke to Imrana about her experience leading the residency programme at The Lab at Oaklands Rise, and her journey with Bow Arts.
Introduce yourself! Can you tell us about your time working at The Lab at Oaklands Rise and your journey with Bow Arts?
I’m a multidisciplinary Visual Artist based in London. I am also the Art and Design Director of Morpheme Studios, London. Currently, I’m the lead artist on an Enterprise Residency launched by Bow Arts at The Lab at Oaklands Rise, called WOMB.
Bow Arts has been an incredibly generous and dedicated organization in supporting artists like me. Their commitment to providing affordable studio options has been invaluable, ensuring that artists have the space and freedom to create without a constant financial burden. Bow Arts has been an essential partner in my creative journey, and I am grateful for the opportunities they have given me to grow, contribute, and help others in their artistic careers.
Imrana Tanveer
What is it like being part of the growing community at Oaklands Rise?
Being part of the growing community at Oaklands Rise is a truly enriching experience. The residency fosters a supportive, collaborative environment where artists can focus on their work, while also connecting with others.
It’s a space that not only offers the freedom and resources to create but also encourages giving back through educational workshops. These workshops allow artists to share their skills with the local community, creating a dynamic exchange between creators and participants. Overall, it’s a place where creativity thrives alongside a strong sense of community engagement.
What’s the drive/motivation behind your work?
The motivation behind my work, both as an artist and as the founder of the WOMB programme, is rooted in the belief that creativity should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. As an artist myself, I’ve always been motivated by the desire to create in a space that nurtures freedom, exploration, and personal growth. However, I’ve also experienced first-hand the limitations that come with not having access to large studio spaces or the flexibility to fully dedicate time to my practice due to other responsibilities.
This understanding was a key inspiration for conceiving the WOMB programme—creating a space where artists could come together, focus on their work, and be supported without the pressure of financial constraints.
For me, the motivation behind both my own practice and the residency programme is to empower artists to pursue their creative potential while also contributing to the broader community, creating a cycle of growth, learning, and connection.
How has having the project space at The Lab at Oaklands Rise impacted your artistic practice and WOMB’s mission/progress?
WOMB is more than a physical space; it is a concept, a mindset, and a celebration of the boundless possibilities that arise when creativity is born outside the expected confines. WOMB stands as a testament to the belief that creativity knows no confines and that ideas are conceived beyond the conventional womb. In this innovative residency, artists from diverse backgrounds converge to nurture and bring forth ideas that defy traditional origins.
Our artists are selected through an Open Call. Once selected, they join us for a 4–6-weeks residency. The residency is designed to support artists who may not have access to large studio spaces or the flexibility to dedicate significant time to their practice due to other commitments, like family or part-time work.
My own practice grows enormously: because the space is so useful in many ways, I have developed and secured exhibitions in reputable galleries across London. With Bow Arts’ support, I have been able to collaborate with and mentor seven artists in residence. In just 10 months, the WOMB incubator has nurtured these emerging talents, and now it is ready to be born as a universe of its own.
The residency is completely free of cost. In return, the artists offer a workshop to the local community, allowing them to share their skills and techniques with anyone interested in learning. Some of the workshops we’ve hosted so far include Mindful Painting, Impression Printing, Image Transfer, Embroidery, Weaving, Quilt Making, and Zine Making. It’s a wonderful way for the artists to engage with the community while also enriching their own creative journeys.
Find out more about the WOMB residency at @womb.ms.