Dear Editor, November

Last month’s issue featured an article on ‘Tattoo Rites’. I’m glad that CEN is the sort of creative magazine that manages to acknowledge that body art is after all, a legitimate art form. Tattoo artists flourish not just in London but all over the world. It is a form of expression that dates back to ancient times. The first Tattoo Convention was held in East London last month, which should mark the fact that body art is no longer a subversive subject. I sincerely hope CEN will continue to feature articles on not only body art but art forms that don’t usually get the attention they need.

Claire Roberts
Walthamstow

I am an East London based script writer working on a yet untitled project involving on the reactions of the public toward the Asian Muslim community following the July London terrorist attacks. It’s been 3 months since the attacks, the initial shock is over but there is still work to be done. In East London, we are stuck with the conundrum of celebrating the success of hosting the Olympics yet suffering the fear of 7/7 recurring. As a male member of the Asian Muslim community, the effects of public scrutiny has been inevitably felt. However, as an artist I feel that this should not be cause for negativity. Art provides a welcome outlet for the anger and discontentment felt at the injustice of being a target of mass fear. Through art alone, artists such as myself will get to tell our sides of the story and perhaps due to sheer necessity, a new form of creativity is generated.

Anwar Ahmed
Tower Hamlets

Seeing as you dedicated a 3-page spread to a feature on fashion, perhaps you would take to the suggestion that the quality of your fashion photographs should be higher than that of a mail order catalogue.

Jim Bailey
Newham

I am a film/music/literature buff and I would appreciate it if perhaps you could include more film/ CD/ book reviews as I would love to have an East London take on what’s good that’s going around.

Emmanuel Hirst
Whitechapel