feature: ‘staying power’ – the victoria & albert museum explores the history of black british culture

For the last seven years, the Victoria & Albert (V&A) museum in London has been working with Black Cultural Archives to compile a collection of photographs which document the lives of black people in Britain. Now with a collection of 118 works by 17 artists, the museum is currently exhibiting the collection in an exhibition titled ‘Staying Power’ (February 16 – May 24 and January 15 – June 30 at the Black Cultural Archives in London) and aims to “raise awareness of the contribution of black Britons to British culture and society, as well as to the art of photography”. See some of the photographs below and get more info on the photographers here.

By Alexander Aplerku, AFROPUNK Contributor

Al Vandenberg, ‘Untitled’, c.1975-80, from the series ‘On a Good Day’, printed 2010, gelatin silver print. Museum no. E.423-2010. Given in part by Al Vandenberg and Eric Franck. © Al Vandenberg

Jennie Baptiste, ‘Pinky’, 2001. Museum no. E.970-2010. © Jennie Baptiste/ Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Armet Francis, Self-Portrait in Mirror, London, 1964, gelatin silver print © Armet Francis Victoria and Albert, London 

Neil Kenlock, Untitled [Young woman seated on the floor at home in front of her television set], C- type print, London, 1972 © Neil Kenlock Victoria and Albert, London 

J. D. Okhai Ojeikere, Untitled, HG 423-04, from the series Headties, gelatin silver print, Nigeria, 2004. © The Estate of J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere Victoria and Albert, London 

Normski, African Homeboy – Brixton, London, 1987, printed 2011, c-type print. © Normski Victoria and Albert, London 

Al Vandenberg, ‘High Street Kensington’, 1976, from the series ‘On a Good Day’. Museum no. E.432-2010. © The Estate of Al Vandenberg / Victoria and Albert Museum, London.