‘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 Sterling Betancourt, described in the exhibition guide as “Musician and Pioneer, Notting Hill Carnival, Powis Square”
Each Londoner was asked to provide answers to four questions. These are the answers provided by Sterling Betancourt: Question: “Where do you go to show people the real London?” Answer: “I’d take people to Notting Hill Gate and Portobello Road to show them the real London. At the weekend you get people from all over the world. From every country you can hear their languages. It’s very international.” Question: “If you sent a postcard from London, what view would you choose?” Answer: “I’d choose the view of the Tower of London or the Houses of Parliament as my postcard from London. Before I came to London I thought of the London I’d seen in films. We used to see Waterloo Bridge and different parts of London hazy in the fog.” Question: “If there was another Great Fire of London, what historic building or place would you save?” Answer: “I would save St Paul’s Cathedral from another Great Fire. It’s where we have a lot of history and an icon of London. It stands out amongst all the modern buildings.” Question: “What do you owe London?” Answer: “What do I owe London? Opportunity.”
This is part of the Job: 2K/27196 'I Am London' Exhibition - Sterling Betancourt, Musician And Pioneer, Notting Hill Carnival; 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
Music And Dance, People Posed