The Unseen Story?

This project explored how audience-involved approaches to interpretation might deepen the resonance and relevance of historical paintings to diverse audiences today.

Bringing together members of Elevate Youth Voice – a youth leadership programme based in east London – with Gallery experts and a group of interdisciplinary creatives, it set out to drive innovation and change informed by the young people's unique lived experiences.

Together, the participants explored a range of paintings selected for their potential relevance to contemporary issues – including colonialism, the privatisation of public land, gender, and economic and political histories.

Drawing on responses in the workshops, ‘The Family of Darius before Alexander’ was selected for further exploration, with is blend of spectacle and a crowd witnessing a seismic moment. Combined with the painting’s vivid interplay of power, identity, and layered viewpoints, it became a compelling and effective choice for the commission.

In a series of workshops, the young people shared their perspectives on the painting and its significance to them, which sat at the heart of the film brief.

Filmmakers Rachel Davies and Daniel Saul of R&D Studio were commissioned to produce a film of their interpretation of the painting, while also incorporating some of the viewpoints of the young people.

'The Unseen Story?' reflects the Gallery’s ongoing commitment to experimenting with collaborative, audience-centred and imaginative forms of interpretation.

The project was developed and led by Emma McFarland of studio eMc.

With thanks to our collaborators: Elevate Youth Voice, Kaizen, Louis Brown, Violet Berlin, and Wilkie Branson.