A social enterprise is giving undiscovered artists in Tottenham a platform to show their work at the heart of a new enterprise hub.

Rising Generations, which provides sport, enterprise and academic opportunities in Haringey, is holding a temporary art exhibition in the 639 building, in High Road, which was officially opened by Boris Johnson this morning.

Director Kwame Edwards said he hoped the exhibition would show artists that there is a business side to pursuing any vocation.

He said: “We wanted to get the bedroom artists who have the talents but maybe not the discipline or the business knowledge to succeed commercially.

“They need to realise there is a business side to being an artist and we wanted to get them into it organically.

“It is totally inclusive and provided the work is of the right quality we will include it one of our exhibitions.”

The social enterprise has a permanent exhibition in the neighbouring 639b building.

Mr Edwards runs the organisation with his friends and colleagues Lijtfari Oswald, Stephanie Mascall and Naomi Clarke.

He added: “We need to start to change our mentality in Tottenham.

“I want the young people to realise that they are not just potential employees but also hopefully future employers.

“So to the youth of Tottenham I would say get involved and don’t stay on the side lines.”

Kelvin Okafor, of Fairbanks Road, Tottenham, was one of the artists displaying his work.

The 27-year-old amazed critics and received national media attention for his pencil drawings which are so detailed they are often mistaken for photographs.

He said: “I was 15 years old when teachers started noticing my work and using it as examples for other students. 

“I still live with my parents in Tottenham and I spend 12 hours drawing every day.

“I think the most important thing for a young person trying to be an artist to do is persevere.

“Keep doing what you love and you will make it.”

This morning the Mayor of London was given a tour of the exhibition and Daniel Corso, 28, one of the exhibiting artists, presented him with a portrait he had painted of Mr Johnson.

 Mr Corso said: “I’m happy with his reaction because he seemed to like it.

“He told me he would auction it and donate the money to a charity.

“I have been doing art from a young age and I use it as a way of relaxing but today is the first day I have ever shown my work publicly.