Karen Jelenje’s film

"How can communities come together through the spaces and art you create?" This question has been central to Karen’s life, from her studies in architecture to her community housing work and now her art in Heywood. "I've never really been able to answer where's home, is it the UK or Malawi?" says Karen, reflecting on her complex Black British identity. Adjusting to the UK at age seven, art became her sanctuary, an opportunity to be herself in the midst of change. 

Initially pursuing architecture to use her skills to improve places, Karen’s passion for social equity led her to roles championing projects that ensured marginalised voices were represented. Now living in Heywood and working in Manchester, a course at Bury College reignited her artistic spark, which she explores at Richard Street Studios. “Now that I've gotten back into art, I'm on a journey, rediscovering what it is to me. I think if you nurture creativity, you can probably do a lot of amazing things.”

Karen has used her unique lens to explore Heywood’s identity through two Culture Co-op commissions. The first used architectural shapes from local mills to create a visual journey: “It’s about celebrating people that have made the place before and the people who are here now,” she says. 

Her latest project, We Fly High, is a community-led reimagining of the original Heywood flag, where the Latin inscription means ‘I fly high’. By encouraging residents to contribute drawings about what they love, Karen is capturing the community spirit she has experienced. “Flags can become an identity, celebrating a community," she explains. "The transition from 'I' to 'we' is important - if we come together we can soar and do amazing things”

Discover more about Karen and her work at :
instagram.com/kmjelenje
instagram.com/jelenjestudio