Hall Place, in Bourne Road, Bexley, is running two exhibitions on the theme to celebrate Black History Month.

The first collection is in the house's Austen Gallery and explores the borough's cultural mix through words and traditional objects.

Sikh, Vietnamese, Chinese, Romany and Somali communities opened up their homes, places of worship and work to reveal their cultural roots and traditions and to talk about their everyday lives.

The exhibition includes a film by London film-maker Liz Thomas.

It was a collaboration between Bexley Heritage Trust and Bexley Council for Racial Equality with support from Schools Business Partnership and the Local Studies and Archive Service. The project will be available to tour schools and community centres in the coming year.

The second exhibition, in the Dashwood Gallery, is by three artists.

Sue Cohen takes a haunting look at her Jewish heritage while Australian-born Claire Freer provides contemporary interpretations of tradition Aboriginal weaving.

Verinda Mangat used a digital camera to record her global journeys fusing the wealth and colour of the Punjab and Africa.

Both exhibitions run until November 3 and admission is free.

October 5, 2001 16:51