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New Work: Making East London
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On the Sly, Justinien Tribillon
A new commission for V&A East’s New Work, exploring the theme Making East London
Can workers reclaim independence through thetools in their workplaces? In factories and workshops, materials and machinery are often left idle for substantial parts of the day. When workers find ways of using them ‘on the sly’, a secret world of creativity emerges.
In this film, artist Justinien Tribillon draws inspiration from the French word perruque, a term used to describe the practice of covertly making things for yourself, while at work. Researching and filmingthese practices in east London, Tribillon focuses on the precise and repetitive movement of hands. These motions become slow and tender as these individuals craft one piece of work they can bring home.
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Header image: ‘On the Sly’, 2025, by artist Justinien Tribillon, New Work commission on display at V&A East Museum © David Parry for the V&A