A single mum who traded London for the Kent coast is now set to open her dream high-street business.
Holly Oluwo is the creative force behind Real Reds Room, an open studio gallery in Folkestone she hopes will help inspire her five-year-old daughter, Ivy.
The 33-year-old relocated from the capital while pregnant during the Covid-19 lockdown, after a visit to the town where she met an artist who encouraged her to move to the area.
Missing the tight-knit community she had in London, Miss Oluwo initially felt isolated – a feeling which ultimately sparked the idea for her gallery.
Miss Oluwo, a professional artist who previously worked in security before becoming a mother, told KentOnline: “When I moved to Folkestone, I did feel really alone.
“It wasn’t until I walked into a community centre in Margate called People Dem Collective when I felt like I was home despite my social media being happy all the time.
“But now, I feel like I’m winning – I wake up and smile at the sky.”
Real Reds Room, situated in the town’s Old High Street, has come to life after five years of “knocking on the door” of arts charity Creative Folkestone.
After half a decade of applications, the organisation provided her with a shop in the town centre.
The name Real Reds Room draws inspiration from Miss Oluwo’s Instagram handle, Real Red Woman – a nod to her hair and skin.
She explained: “I have a lot of red pigment in my skin and suffer from eczema. I chose the word ‘real’ as I am what I am, in image and essence.”
Set to open on July 4, her space is designed to be an “accessible haven” for those who do not feel comfortable in traditional art environments.
Alongside operating as an open studio, there are plans to host small life-drawing sessions.
To help keep costs down in the early stages, Miss Oluwo plans to be the life model herself.
She is also keen to run offers for those struggling financially, ensuring the space remains “for everyone”.
The artist added: “I honestly hope this turns into a venue where people can walk in and feel at home, a place that I would have wanted myself.”
Her drive to create an inclusive environment is deeply rooted in her past.
Growing up in Poplar in London’s East End, leaving home at 16, and later living in Hoxton and Essex, Miss Oluwo often worked “laborious jobs” while dedicating early mornings to her art.
She says her work today is shaped heavily by those experiences and admits she feels incredibly lucky to be alive.
“I went through trauma at a young age. I didn’t think I’d be here but I genuinely am grateful to still be breathing,” she added.
“Because of those experiences, I started to collect really negative newspaper articles to make myself feel better.
“But as you grow up, you realise that you’re just carrying around horrendous pieces of paper so I started turning them into collages.”
Before having her daughter, Miss Oluwo had been told she could not have children. But in December 2019, she discovered she was pregnant.
The unexpected news led her to explore her own body through art, sparking an anatomical series she continues to develop today.
Through this work, she aims to open “blame-free conversations” around the NHS and UK health systems, including a live street-art piece for Black Breastfeeding Week.
Ivy was born in September 2020. Knowing she would be raising her as a single parent, Miss Oluwo chose a name that reflected growth – pairing her own with a plant counterpart so they could “grow together”.
A central aim of the Real Reds Room is ensuring Ivy feels represented within her community, something Miss Oluwo says she lacked growing up.
“I wanted to be heard and represented as when I looked at my parents, I didn’t see myself,” she added.
“Even though Ivy lives in Folkestone, I want to make sure she’s connected to her culture and understands where she comes from and she’s proud of it – hopefully I’ll instill that.”
As the launch approaches, Miss Oluwo is dedicating her entire summer to getting the space ready – even swearing off holidays to focus on the project.
She has launched a GoFundMe to support the venture which has raised more than £1,000 and is applying for both a personal development fund worth up to £10,0000 and a £5,000 grant from the Hugo Burge Foundation.
Alongside concentrating on her own art, she occasionally takes on external freelance work for extra funding.
Looking ahead, she hopes to introduce “day residencies” and partner with Airbnb hosts to offer weekend wellness getaways.
Her mum Joanna, who lives in Hythe, has also embarked on her own adventure since coming down to Kent and has created community group Black Core Kent CIC.
