en portraits from the Royal Collection showing pioneers of the Windrush Generation will go on show at the NPG this October, painted by leading Black artists, including Sonia Boyce OBE, Amy Sherald and Honor Titus.
Further displays, interventions and events will be programmed in response to Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation.
In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of HMT Empire Windrush’s arrival at Tilbury Docks and the generation of British Caribbean citizens, some whom had fought in the Second World War and others answering the call to re-build Britain after the war, who travelled to the UK – known as the ‘Motherland’ – between 1948 and 1971, ten portraits made by leading Black artists will be displayed at the National Portrait Gallery between 9 October 2023 and 1 April 2024 as part of Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation. Commissioned by His Majesty The King, when Prince of Wales, and lent from the Royal Collection, the portraits show people who have made positive and pioneering contributions to the United Kingdom.
The portraits were first on public display at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh from 22 June 2023 – the date of the Windrush anniversary and also the National Portrait Gallery’s reopening date, following the culmination of its major transformation project, Inspiring People. The ten portraits include depictions of Delisser Bernard by Honor Titus; Alford Gardner by Chloe Cox; Linda Haye OBE by Shannon Bono; Edna Henry by Amy Sherald; Carmen Munroe OBE by Sonia Boyce OBE; Gilda Oliver by Clifton Powell; Professor Sir Godfrey (Geoff) Palmer OBE by Derek Fordjour; Laceta Reid by Serge Attukwei Clottey; John (Big John) Richards by Deanio X; and Jessie Stephens MBE by Sahara Longe.
The ten sitters, mostly in their 90s from around the country, were invited to sit for their portraits by the Windrush Portraits Committee, appointed by His Majesty and chaired by Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE. The other members of the Committee were Paulette Simpson CBE, Rudolph Walker CBE and Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin MBE. The project was also supported by the Royal Drawing School. Undertaken by Black artists personally selected by His Majesty, the portraits honour the accomplishments of the Windrush Generation, men and women who took up jobs in areas such as industry, transport and the NHS, often facing discrimination as they navigated living in a new country and pursued their dream of a better life for their families. The faces of these sitters are a powerful reminder of personal resilience, determination and the positive impact of diversity across Britain.
In response to Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation, the Gallery will also stage Citizen UK: Croydon’s Caribbean Influencers (9 October 2023 – 12 February 2024) in the Mildred and Simon Palley Learning Centre, exploring the significant contributions of Croydon’s Caribbean community to life in the UK. Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Art Fund and The Rothschild Foundation, and curated in partnership with the Museum of Croydon, the display takes the concept of a record store as its focus, celebrating oral history and the musical tradition of Caribbean culture. The display will feature newly commissioned work by artist, Kyam, and poet, Shaniqua Benjamin, celebrating local people with portraits designed as record sleeves. The stories of pioneering figures with a connection to Croydon will also be told, such as musician, Desmond Dekker; psychologist, Waveney Bushell; and the first Black female officer in the Metropolitan Police, Sislin Faye Allen. Community members and Citizen Researchers involved in the display will also activate the space exhibiting Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation.
“In this anniversary year, we are delighted to be opening two displays in unison, celebrating the positive impact of the Windrush Generation and the influence of Caribbean culture in Croydon. Thank you to His Majesty and Royal Collections Trust for entrusting us with these ten poignant portraits in this 75th anniversary year, and to the Museum of Croydon, who have worked so closely with us both since and in the lead up to the Gallery’s reopening.”
Dr Nicholas Cullinan
Director of the National Portrait Gallery
A programme of public events will accompany Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation and Citizen UK: Croydon’s Caribbean Influencers, including talks and practical workshops.
Associated Events
Vanley Burke in conversation with Diane Louise Jordan
Friday 6 October 2023
19.00-20.00
£15 on site, booking essential
To mark the 75th anniversary of the 1948 Nationality Act, Vanley Burke, the ‘Godfather of Black British Photography’ is joined in conversation by broadcaster, Diane Louise Jordan. Together, Vanley Burke and Diane Louise Jordan worked on The Making of Black Britain, a project that captured the portraits and stories of those from the Windrush generation through to the present day. In this discussion, the pair will explore the idea of belonging, as well as what it means to be British.
Living memories: painting portraits of our elders
Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October 2023
11.00-17.00
£250, booking essential
Join Shannon Bono, whose portrait of Linda Haye OBE features in Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation, to learn how to capture portraits of your own elders in this two-day workshop. Delve into the fascinating back-stories of the ten sitters displayed at the Gallery, and learn from Bono, an artist who centres the authentic representation of women of colour in her work, about how to create realistic portraits from source material, such as photographs. During the workshop, Bono will provide technical tuition – explaining how to create a portrait that captures personality and individual biography, build a relationship with your sitter, choose a composition that celebrates and encapsulates their identity – and provide an insight into her own process. All materials will be provided. Suitable for all abilities. Max participants 25.
Workshop: Discover digital illustration
Friday 10 November 2023
18.00-20.00
£70, booking essential
Join digital illustrator, Kyam, for a masterclass in how to create bold and colourful graphic portraits. Working on iPads, learn how to draw with a digital pen and master the art of creating your own compositions using beginner-friendly digital drawing and illustration software, Sketchbook Pro. This introductory session is inspired by Kyam’s work in Citizen UK Croydon: Caribbean Influences. All materials will be provided. Suitable for all abilities.
About the sitters – Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation
Delisser Bernard by Honor Titus: RAF veteran Delisser was optimistic about his future when he boarded HMT Empire Windrush. He stayed at a military hostel before settling in Wolverhampton where he met his future wife Marjorie Wildey at a dancehall. A good work ethic was important to Delisser, and he instilled that in their four children, including Olympic sprint champion Verona Elder.
Alford Gardner by Chloe Cox: Alford’s portrait shows a sense of reflection and contentment as he looks back on his life. He arrived in the UK on HMT Empire Windrush a determined RAF veteran and overcame obstacles to find work as an engineer and helped establish the first Caribbean Cricket Club, which still exists today and promotes equality and anti-racism.
Linda Haye OBE by Shannon Bono: Linda worked for the Civil Service in Jamaica before her mother persuaded her that she would have more opportunities in the UK. She arrived in October 1958, setting her sights on her lifelong dream of studying sociology and graduated in 1972. Linda dedicated her life to youth and community services and was the first woman of colour to be a full-time member of the Police Complaints Authority.
Edna Henry by Amy Sherald: Edna arrived by plane in 1962, following her brother to Cardiff. Edna found life in the UK hard at first – the food was very different, she was not used to the smoke and cold and she experienced discrimination. But through her Pentecostal Church community, Edna developed an inner strength. Edna’s portrait is vibrant, showing her as a woman with dignity who persevered to give her family the best opportunities.
Carmen Munroe OBE by Sonia Boyce OBE: Carmen began drama classes after she came to England in 1951 with her sister. She made her West End stage debut in 1962, before taking on roles in film and TV and co-founding the Black theatre company Talawa. It has gone on to become the country’s leading group for nurturing talent of African and Caribbean heritage and in 2007, Carmen was given an OBE for her services to drama.
Gilda Oliver by Clifton Powell: Gilda, a former NHS support worker, travelled to Birmingham in 1955. She provided care to both patients and people in her community – whether by cooking meals for those in need, being a motherly figure or through establishing Grace in Age, a group encouraging seniors to be active. Throughout her life, Gilda has found strength in her Christian faith.
Professor Sir Godfrey (Geoff) Palmer OBE by Derek Fordjour: Sir Geoff’s love of science and botany developed after he arrived in the UK in 1955. His degrees in botany and grain science led to major innovations in the brewing industry, and in 1977 Sir Geoff became Scotland’s first Black university professor.
Laceta Reid by Serge Attukwei Clottey: Laceta’s large, mostly monochromatic mixed-media portrait was inspired by African lifestyle photography. After arriving in Britain in 1957, Laceta settled in Newport, Wales where he was employed at Crompton Batteries for most of his working life. In his free time, he enjoyed tending to his allotment when he was not travelling around the country for dominoes competitions.
John (Big John) Richards by Deanio X: John, known affectionately to his family and friends as Big John, arrived in London on HMT Empire Windrush knowing no one. But after a short time, he
found his first and only job – working for British Railways (later, British Rail), where he stayed for over 40 years. Big John was one of the founding members of the Learie Constantine West Indian Association in north-west London, which aims to continue the work of his friend, the late cricketer and human rights campaigner Learie Constantine, to advance integration and eradicate discrimination.
Jessie Stephens MBE by Sahara Longe: Jessie left St Lucia aged 28. Arriving in London in 1955, she became a strong and dedicated member of her community, playing important roles in creating a cultural hub and campaigning for better relationships with the police. In 1982, she was made an MBE for her services to the St Lucian community in the UK.
