Latest news with #FriendsOfWindrushSquare
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
London artworks celebrating Windrush generation restored after vandalism
Portraits celebrating the Windrush generation in the heart of Brixton have been restored after a vandalism attack led to a global outpouring of support. The Windrush Untold Stories exhibition, displayed in Windrush Square, features 20 portraits and recollections of people who arrived in the UK from the Caribbean in the postwar era. The exhibition, a joint project involving community groups, social enterprises and creatives, was launched at the Big Caribbean Lunch event celebrating Windrush Day on 22 June in Lambeth. But, in the early hours of 3 July, the portraits were slashed and daubed with green paint. News of the attack led to community groups involved in the exhibition receiving support from all over the world, said Ros Griffiths, the chair of Friends of Windrush Square, with about £5,000 donated to an online fundraiser at GoFundMe in a week. The fundraiser has not yet met the £15,000 target, which meant the restoration work was only possible with a loan, Griffiths said, but organisers were keen to see the exhibition restored quickly, and would keep the fundraiser open. Griffiths added: 'Even though we did not achieve our target, we still went ahead and restored the portraits on credit because the stories couldn't wait. But we still ask everyone to continue to support the campaign to reach our goal, because every contribution helps to honour the legacy of our generation with the dignity and visibility it deserves. 'The public's response was overwhelming. The exhibition went viral. Messages of solidarity poured in from across the UK and beyond, as far away as Tokyo, any way they could connect with us, they did – people who had never set foot in Brixton. This is a testament of power of truth, visibility and collective pride.' The exhibition, developed with groups including Friends of Windrush Square, Empathy Museum, Black Cultural Archives, Photofusion and Born or Made, had been due to end on 10 July, but has now been extended for another fortnight, with talks under way to move it to the Home Office. The equalities minister, Seema Malhotra, visited the scene this week. The exhibition features a portrait of Clovis Samuel, one of the oldest members of the Windrush generation, who died recently, which gave this year's Windrush Day celebrations an added poignancy. In a post on GoFundMe, Ed Errington, of Empathy Museum, said: 'This exhibition is more than just images. It's a proud and public celebration of the Windrush generation and their descendants – a space for collective memory, recognition, and resilience.' The Metropolitan police said they arrested a 24-year-old man on Saturday 5 July, on suspicion of vandalism, and that he was taken to hospital due to concerns for his welfare. He was further arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage and possessing articles with intent to destroy or damage property, although officers added that 'based on additional inquiries', they did not believe the incident is racially motivated, but are continuing to 'explore all possible motives.'
BBC News
08-07-2025
- BBC News
Windrush exhibit vandalism not racially motivated
A man who was detained by police after a Windrush exhibition was vandalised has been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage - although police say they do not believe the incident was racially was first arrested on Saturday on suspicion of vandalism, two days after the mural in Brixton's Windrush Square was defaced, then taken to hospital over concerns for his returning to custody, he was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage and possessing articles with intent to destroy or damage property. He was bailed pending further inquiries.A community group previously said the "distressing" vandalism was driven by "racial hatred". 'Painful and shocking' Friends of Windrush Square said on Thursday that the vandalism was "not only an attack on public art but a blatant act of racial hatred directed at a community that has given so much to the life and spirit of the UK".Det Ch Supt Emma Bond said: "We absolutely recognise the concern this matter has caused and that the community perceives this to be a hate crime."While the evidence does not support this act being racially motivated, our priority is to ensure the victims and wider community feel heard and supported as they navigate this painful and shocking act of vandalism."She said local officers remained in contact with exhibition exhibition features 20 portraits and first-hand accounts of people who arrived in the UK from the Caribbean between the late 1940s and 1970s.
BBC News
06-07-2025
- BBC News
Man arrested over damage to Windrush portraits in Brixton
The vandalism of Windrush generation portraits is not being treated as a hate crime, the Met police said after they arrested a man in connection with the featured in the Windrush Untold Stories exhibition, currently installed in Windrush Square in Brixton, south London, were damaged on Thursday.A 24-year-old was detained on Saturday on suspicion of vandalism and remains in police of Windrush Square had said on Thursday the vandalism was "an attack on public art" and claimed it was driven by "racial hatred". 'Considerable distress' On Sunday the police said: "We believe that this was not a hate crime, and I want to reassure anyone with concerns, that a man has now been arrested."The Met also said they "understand that those in the community will feel distressed about vandalism to the Windrush exhibition in Brixton" and officers have been in contact with organiser of the art installation features 20 portraits of those who arrived in the UK from the Caribbean between the late 1940s and 1970s alongside first-hand accounts of their experiences. Friends of Windrush Square said the vandalism had caused "considerable distress" to local residents, artists, volunteers and project partners, "many of whom are directly connected to the Windrush legacy".
BBC News
03-07-2025
- BBC News
Portraits honouring Windrush generation vandalised in Brixton
A Windrush exhibition in south London aimed at honouring the history, legacy, and contributions of the Windrush Generation to British society has been vandalised. Portraits featured in the Windrush Untold Stories exhibition, currently installed in Windrush Square in Brixton, were damaged on of Windrush Square said the "deliberate vandalism" was "not only an attack on public art, but a blatant act of racial hatred directed at a community that has given so much to the life and spirit of the UK".The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment. The exhibition features 20 portraits and first-hand accounts of those who arrived in the UK from the Caribbean between the late 1940s and 1970s. Friends of Windrush Square said the vandalism had caused "considerable distress" to local residents, artists, volunteers, and project partners, "many of whom are directly connected to the Windrush legacy". Ros Griffiths, chair of Friends of Windrush Square, said: "This is a deeply upsetting and shocking act of racial disrespect. "Windrush Untold Stories was created to celebrate the contributions and resilience of the Windrush Generation, whose story is central to the fabric of British life. "That it should be targeted in such a hateful way is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges we face in building an inclusive and respectful society."
