‘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 Jay Carver, described in the exhibition guide as “Chief Archaeologist, Crossrail Project, Liverpool Street Crossrail Site”
Each Londoner was asked to provide answers to four questions. These are the answers provided by Jay Carver: Question: “Where do you go to show people the real London?” Answer: “Showing someone the changes in London over the years. It used to be Notting Hill or Spitalfields. Now it’s Rye Lane in Peckham, it represents London as a multicultural city with a unique history.” Question: “If you sent a postcard from London, what view would you choose?” Answer: “I love the view from South London, especially high up at Dulwich Woods, where the whole city and river are spread out before you, set amongst seven million trees. One tree for every resident. I’d send a postcard of that.” Question: “If there was another Great Fire of London, what historic building or place would you save?” Answer: “I’d save the British Library from another Great Fire. It’s the largest library collection in the world, a legacy of creativity from the whole UK and many other countries and languages dating back more than 4,000 years. Irreplaceable!” Question: “What do you owe London?” Answer: “When I was a younger archaeologist, I determined that to become a full professional I had to come to London where the archaeology was deep and urban. Frankly, I owe my career to London, its people and its incredible history!”
This is part of the Job: 2K/27189 'I am London' exhibition - Jay Carver, Chief Archaeologist for Crossrail Project; 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
Railway Station, People At Work, People Posed
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