Urban Narratives of Milton Keynes - Private View

This is an archival project focusing on the built environment of Milton Keynes. It showcases the city’s visual identity by documenting key landmarks, from influential twentieth-century precedents to later buildings shaped by the same design principles. Together, they highlight a rich heritage defined by thoughtful planning, innovation, and aesthetics.

The exhibition is split into two parts: one focuses on community engagement, while the other explores new sites.

Part 1:
During the spring and summer of 2025, visual artist and designer Sabre Majid led Year 5 art sessions at Brooklands Farm Primary School, introducing pupils to ways of seeing that encourage curiosity and critical observation. The workshops explored how the built environment shapes experience and identity, inviting students to compare landmarks through materials, patterns, and design choices. A timed drawing exercise using tracing paper encouraged instinctive observation over realism, resulting in expressive works rooted in personal perception. This exhibition presents five drawings from each class alongside the original photographs, aiming to build pride, awareness, and a sense of ownership while inspiring children to imagine their role in shaping the city’s future.

Part 2:

This work explores early industrial and commercial buildings across Milton Keynes, looking beyond the town centre to uncover their quiet architectural character. Designed with care and restraint, these buildings were planned to sit comfortably within the landscape, using simple forms and buffer zones. As industry has transitioned from local production to online retail and large-scale distribution, the use of these buildings has evolved. Today, as new industrial sites become larger and more uniform, these early buildings stand out as important and often overlooked parts of Milton Keynes’ architectural heritage.

Sabre is a visual artist born and raised in Milton Keynes. His work focuses on capturing the built environment through photography and film, informed by his professional experience in commercial architectural design. He portrays Milton Keynes in a positive light, encouraging viewers to explore and take a second look at the city’s architecture. While the subject is niche, Sabre’s aim is to make it accessible, engaging, and meaningful for a wider audience.

Event Details:

• 1pm: Welcome and refreshments
• 1.15pm: Part 1 exhibition talk
• 1.30pm: Part 2 exhibition talk
• 1.45pm: Connect with Sabre and others

For More:

Webpage: www.sabremajid.com

Instagram: @sabre_majid

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