‘I am London’ was an exhibition curated in 2016 by Historic England. The description of the exhibition, as published in the accompanying guide, states that: “London’s historic buildings and places are as much a part of the city’s DNA as the people who live and work in it.
I am London is a celebration of the capital’s unique and complex identity; as much about its scientific endeavour, cutting edge art, performance and design, politics and campaigning, as its pubs, Pearly Kings and parks. It’s a snapshot of London in microcosm, told through its people and places.
60 Londoners, each with a different story to tell, have been photographed at a historic building or place that’s special to them. Each person’s unique London story is bound up in the place they have chosen, showing the city’s heritage is inspirational, provocative, frustrating, fun, familiar, humbling and home.
We want Londoners to be alive to their heritage, to ensure that, as London grows and changes, it keeps its essential character. From Soho to Brixton, from city to suburbs, London’s great old places keep on embracing generation after generation of Londoners — in turn, they light up our city with new ideas and fresh thinking. If we lose London’s fabric and character, we will lose something very precious.”
This image shows The Very Reverend Dr David Ison, described in the exhibition guide as “Dean, St Paul’s Cathedral, St Paul’s Cathedral Library”
Each Londoner was asked to provide answers to four questions. These are the answers provided by The Very Reverend Dr David Ison: Question: “Where do you go to show people the real London?” Answer: “I’d show someone the Golden Gallery at the top of St Paul’s Dome to show them the real London, naturally: to see the City with its skyscrapers and back streets, the expanse of South London, the river, and the views to Hampstead, Crystal Palace and Epsom Downs.” Question: “If you sent a postcard from London, what view would you choose?” Answer: “The statue of Nelson Mandela in Parliament Square would make a great postcard. That despite having a racist colonial history, we are capable of honouring a non-British black person who has had such positive effect on the world is to be celebrated.” Question: “If there was another Great Fire of London, what historic building or place would you save?” Answer: “I’d save St Paul’s from another Great Fire, of course! It would be so difficult to rebuild it again …” Question: “What do you owe London?” Answer: “I owe London my curiosity, my respect, and my job.”
This is part of the Job: 2K/27175 'I Am London' Exhibition - The Dean Of St Paul’S Cathedral, The Very Reverend Dr David Ison; within the Volume: VF000591 'I Am London' Exhibition; within the Series: HEC01/139 'I Am London' Exhibition; within the Collection: HEC01 Historic England
© Historic England Archive
Photographer: Redgrave, Christopher: Historic England
Library, Cathedral, People Posed, People At Work