‘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 Fay Fullerton, described in the exhibition guide as “Head of Costumes, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden”
Each Londoner was asked to provide answers to four questions. These are the answers provided by Fay Fullerton: Question: “Where do you go to show people the real London?” Answer: “I would take someone to the Southbank, Brixton and the many parks to show them the real London.” Question: “If you sent a postcard from London, what view would you choose?” Answer: “For me, the best postcard from London is definitely the view from Waterloo Bridge.” Question: “If there was another Great Fire of London, what historic building or place would you save?” Answer: “I would save St Thomas’ Hospital from another Great Fire. Not for the architecture, but for the amazing skills and people working there.” Question: “What do you owe London?” Answer: “I don’t think I owe London anything. I’m so rooted in London and was born here. It’s a question that probably would apply if you weren’t a Londoner, but if you are it’s a difficult question.”
This is part of the Job: 2K/27183 'I Am London' Exhibition - Fay Fullerton, Head Of Costumes, Royal Opera House; 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
Opera House, People Posed