Who? For seven years, the V&A has collaborated with Black Cultural Archives in the gathering of photographs recording the experiences of Britain’s black communities during the second half of the 20th century. The fruits of their labour is Staying Power: Photographs of Black British Experience 1950s-1990s – a wonderful new show at the V&A that coincides with a complementary display at Black Cultural Archives. An invaluable addition to the museum’s historic photographic collection, the 118 photographs on display are a celebration of black music, style and fashion seen through the eyes of 17 artists.
J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere, Untitled, 2005, from the series HeadtiesCourtesy of The Estate of J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere, Victoria and Albert Museum
What? From Al Vandenberg’s 1970s city life portraits to studies of intricate Nigerian hairstyles by J.D. Okhai Ojeikere, Staying Power is an examination of race, identity and society covering 40 years of British history. Among the works on display is Armet Francis’ colourful series of photographs capturing the contrast between the audacious fashion of the 1970s and Brixton’s British-Caribbean urban scenario. While Britain’s growing multicultural community is gently celebrated by Raphael Albert’s portrayals of the black British beauty pageants he recorded in pictures from the 1960s to the 1980s. The self-portraits by Armet Francis, Maxine Walker and Yinka Shonibare somewhat communicate with each other in an exploration of their profession (Francis), their identity (Walker) and their history (Shonibare). To accompany the photographs, the exhibition comprises a selection of oral histories including some of the artists themselves, their relatives, and the subjects depicted in the photographs.
Neil Kenlock, Untitled, A young girl speaking on her parents' telephone in South London, 1973Courtesy of Neil Kenlock, Victoria and Albert Museum
Why? With a collection documenting the complete history of the medium, beginning in the 1840s, the V&A is constantly reconsidering their acquiring priorities and filling the gaps in the collection, and the Staying Power project is a vital step forward in the documentation of the previously inadequately represented lives of black people in the country. In the words of curator Marta Weiss, “The V&A was the first museum in the world to collect photography as an art form, beginning in 1852, and now holds the National Collection of the Art of Photography. We initiated the Staying Power project in 2008 in recognition of the underrepresentation at the V&A of black photographers and depictions of black British life.”
