An exhibition celebrating the lost art of letter-writing with work from world-renown artist Tracey Emin opened in the borough last week as part of Hackney Council’s Empty Shops programme.

The exhibition opened its doors to the public on Thursday 25 November and is the second of its kind by the POSTED project which aims to pay homage to the UK’s postal heritage.

The Please Write exhibition, directed and curated by Julia Royse, who manages art galleries and commissions work from artists for a living, also showcases specially commissioned work by artists Georgie Hopton and Jane Simpson. The exhibition runs from 26 November 2010 to 27 February 2011 in a previously decommissioned post office at 67 Wilton Way. Specially designed stationary sets by Tracy Emin are also available to order.

POSTED is one of a number of projects supported by Hackney Council to bring empty shops back to life. The Empty Shops programme is designed to provide activities within empty buildings which will benefit Hackney s residents and visitors.

Cllr Guy Nicholson, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, said: “The Empty Shops scheme is designed to help support Hackney’s local economy and promote the arts.

“The scheme ensures that Hackney’s creative community has an opportunity to showcase its talent.”

Julia Royse, said: “We had a great turnout for the opening of the exhibition and I hope that people will come and see the show before xmas as there are some great gifts!”

“This exhibition has a ‘wintery’ and melancholy feel about it partly because it’s lamenting the dying art of letter writing, but all the artists have made strong and thoughtful work and I’m really pleased with the exhibition.”

For more information, please visit the POSTED website at: www.postedprojects.co.uk