The Language in Us
‘The Language in Us’ exhibition and performance is the culmination of a collaborative 2-year initiative, ‘Roots and Routes’, bringing together BSDC and Allerton Church of England Primary School. Balbir’s premise for the exhibition was to explore language creatively by finding ways to represent it visually, through photography, performance, dance, and animation. Building on the work BSDC artists, Louise and Jane, did with the children in Year 3, we worked with the same group throughout Year 4, exploring how language shapes our creative identities. Language is how we connect with each other, but it also helps us understand ourselves and the world around us.
2026 to 2027
Within Year 4, twenty-three different languages are spoken, each one carrying its own stories, histories, and traditions. As part of our creative journey, we explored the different forms language takes; as well as the words we speak, read, and write, language can be colours, gestures, images, sounds, dance, or however else we express ourselves creatively. Through workshops in movement, creative writing, visual arts, and photography, the children of Allerton C of E Primary have begun to develop their own creative voices, exploring themes of nature, climate, well-being, activism and their connection to the world around them.
‘The Language in Us’ celebrates our shared journey and reminds us that language is not fixed or singular. It is fluid, evolving, and deeply interconnected. Language, in the broadest possible sense, is what makes us unique, and what brings us together.
‘The Language in Us’ celebrates our shared journey and reminds us that language is not fixed or singular. It is fluid, evolving, and deeply interconnected. Language, in the broadest possible sense, is what makes us unique, and what brings us together.
The Exhibition - Main Hall
“
It was really nice because people were singing and clapping. My mum was there which was the most important thing. I loved the piano.
- Year 4 student, Allerton C of E Primary School ”
- Year 4 student, Allerton C of E Primary School ”
The Library
“
It was fun, I liked all the fun we all had producing a wonderful project. I enjoyed the photography the most.
I was grateful that this was in my school because I know not all schools get this.
- Year 4 student, Allerton C of E Primary School ”
- Year 4 student, Allerton C of E Primary School ”
Photographs from the Exhibition
Across two days, BSDC photgraphed every child in Year 4, encouraging them to explore their identity through the language of colour and shape. This was also an opportunity for the children to put their new-found photography skills to the test, as each child was also photographed by one of their peers. These photographs were exhibited alongside the professional photographs, and, in many cases, it was impossible to tell which was which. The children also helped each other with lighting, props, and artistic direction.
“
I like taking part in things because you can learn new things and everybody should take part.
- Year 4 student, Allerton C of E Primary School ”
- Year 4 student, Allerton C of E Primary School ”
The Process
The final exhibition event was the result of lots of hard work, from the staff at Allerton C of E Primary School, from us at BSDC, and especially the children in Year 4. Over the past two years, we have helped the children involved in the project to develop their own creative language and generate work for exhibition through poetry, movement, and photography workshops. We also asked them to reflect on the languages they speak, and the words which represent them, incorporating them into their ‘mini-me’ models, each with their own mini houses. The children also decorated pebbles to explore how identity changes over time.
Emma Tregidden
Elia Tomé
Dawn Fuller
Meg Erridge
Morgan Girvin
Devaraj Thimmaiah
Elia Tomé
Gavin Joynt
Meg Erridge
Morgan Girvin
Devaraj Thimmaiah
Matthew Bellwood
Dan Atkinson
Helen Stott
Rob Ash
Sophie Chadwick
Tony Sidebottom
Leeds Coppice Workers