Staying Power

Photographs of Black British Experience

Exhibition: 16 Feb 2015 – 24 May 2015

Staying Power
'Diary of a Victorian Dandy: 14.00 hours' from the series 'Diary of a Victorian Dandy', photograph, by Yinka Shonibare, 1998. Museum no. E.236-2013. © Yinka Shonibare/ Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund

Working in partnership with Black Cultural Archives, we identified and acquired photographs taken by black photographers, or which document the lives of black people in Britain, taken between the 1950s – 90s.

The aim of the seven-year collaboration was to raise awareness of the contribution of black Britons to British culture and society, as well as to the art of photography. Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), we have acquired 118 works by 17 artists. To complement the photographs, Black Cultural Archives collected oral histories from some of the photographers, their relatives, and the people depicted in the images.

Artists

Works

  • 'The Harder They Come' from the portfolio 'Black Beauty Pageants', photograph by Raphael Albert, about 1970, England. Museum no. E.312-2013. Museum no. E.312-2013. © Raphael Albert/ Autograph ABP/ Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund
  • 'Pinky', photograph, by Jennie Baptiste, 2001, , England . Museum no. E.970-2010. , © Jennie Baptiste/ Victoria and Albert Museum, London. , Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund
  • 'Vin in Chair', photograph, by Charlie Phillips, 2002, England . Museum no. E.263-2011. , © Charlie Phillips/ Victoria and Albert Museum, London. , Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund
  • 'Fashion Shoot, Brixton Market', photograph, by Armet Francis, 1973, England. Museum no. E.106-2013. © Armet Francis/ Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund