Our Story

Without a brick-and-mortar space, which has become a luxury in European cities–and beyond–, impossible to have a residency. Worlding only developed into a real project because there is a building on County Street, in the vibrant Southwark burough, resisting compulsive urbanisation. Nr. 65-69 is a special place with kind landlords, with special neighbours, such as the artist-run space Plaza Plaza, further in Lambeth, the young V&A, or, in Bermondsey, the Drawing Room. A solid financial basis was also crucial. Ideas and spaces never consolidate into a reality without it. So, Diogo and Joana reached out to collectors, patrons and sponsors, without whom Worlding would not have blossomed.

Then, the pandemic was finally over. The world had been, and continued to be, not only severely impacted by it, but also by previous, and on-going crises–we became a voice among many. Hurdles can be opportunities for projection and self-definition. We saw that Worlding had the potential to continue to be a safe environment, but also an oasis where hierarchies are suspended in benefit of creativity, critical thinking, experimental freedom, and reciprocity (rather than building a system on critique as validation).

So, we reframed our mission and our resources, starting with a crowdfunding operation, and establishing partnerships with organisations, alongside patronage and sponsoring. Along with the residencies, we organise events on our own or in collaboration with other creative groups or individuals: concerts, exhibitions, jam sessions, spoken-word open mikes, tattoo sessions, talks, performances and art suppers. Our shop now provides an opportunity for artists to sell their work, and, by the same token, to contribute to the salary of our relentless team. There is a workshop line-up which will grow in the future (it’s in the works!). Food is also a vehicle of togetherness and warmth, so our in-house chef creates a culinary perspective for, or with, the artists and creatives who stay or collaborate with us. And finally, we co-initiated a collaboration with the charity Collective Aid, an independent aid and advocacy organisation preventing border violence. Together, we activate the potential of reciprocal growth of social change and creativity. We all believe that people shouldn’t die, that everyone should have the right to a safe life and dignified work, but also to touch life’s core, to exist.