Visit Bristol Cathedral to commemorate 75 years since the HMT Windrush arrived in Britain. From 22 September until 25 October 2023, two photographic exhibitions will be available in the Cathedral alongside a spoken word display.
Windrush: A Voyage through the Generations
Created by Jim Grover and following on from his 2018 exhibition Windrush: A Portrait of a Generation, this new work explores how the subsequent generations are living their lives today. It reflects on the distinctive culture and traditions that the first ‘Windrush Generation’ brought to Britain between 1948 and 1971. It shines a light on individuals, many of them women, groups and organisations doing so much to seek to keep the Caribbean culture alive, and to create continuity from one generation to the next.
Pioneers
Photographer Garfield McKenzie began documenting the Windrush Generation in Bristol as a way to pay his respect and show his admiration. He calls this body of work ‘Pioneers’, which makes visible a generation of intrepid individuals, who left their homeland to help rebuild their Mother Country. These elders paved the way for the generations of black British communities living in the UK today. The curator of the ‘Pioneers’ exhibition is Wendy Leocque.
When you visit a relative’s house (spoken word)
When you visit a relative’s house is a poem written by Kat Lyons to mark Windrush 75. You can hear Kat read the poem on a screen inside the Cathedral. Kat is the Bristol City Poet 2022-2024. They’re a writer, performer and workshop facilitator working in the field of spoken word poetry and performance storytelling to interrogate ideas, generate positive social change and strengthen people’s connections to the world and each other. Bristol Ideas co-ordinates the role of the Bristol City Poet.
The Very Revd Dr Mandy Ford, Dean of Bristol, said “We are thrilled to have these exhibitions in Bristol Cathedral to honour the contribution of those who have come from the Caribbean to make their home In England and particularly In Bristol. I hope that these photographs will not only shine a light on the culture of these communities but also Inspire conversations between generations as we all consider what we have Inherited from our parents and grandparents.”
Photographer Jim Grover, creator of Windrush: A Voyage through the Generations said “It has been a true privilege to spend time, once again, with this community; a community I hugely respect, admire and enjoy being with. And I am deeply indebted to all of those who participated in, and contributed to, the creation of Windrush: A Voyage through the Generations. Without their warm welcome, their kindness, their encouragement and their openness I could not have created this work. Just like Windrush: Portrait of a Generation, this is their story, and a story to celebrate and be proud of. I am just so grateful to have the opportunity to share it.”
Wendy Leocque, curator of Pioneers, said “The Windrush generation contributed so much and their contribution is often overlooked. To be able to celebrate and commemorate them in this way is an honour and a privilege. It is so important to share the stories of this generation for their families, future generations and new settlers that continue to come to Britain from all over the world.”
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