‘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 Jacqueline Cooper, described in the exhibition guide as “Owner, L Manze Pie and Mash Shop, Walthamstow High Street”
Each Londoner was asked to provide answers to four questions. These are the answers provided by Jacqueline Cooper: Question: “Where do you go to show people the real London?” Answer: “Where would I take someone to show them the real London? Maybe a little of each corner because every corner is so different. The East End round here, Brick Lane and Spitalfields. There’s loads going on in Central London, the Southbank. As I said, it’s all so different.” Question: “If you sent a postcard from London, what view would you choose?” Answer: “I’d send a postcard of Big Ben with a red bus going past.” Question: “If there was another Great Fire of London, what historic building or place would you save?” Answer: “I’d save Tower Bridge from another Great Fire. It holds something special to me.” Question: “What do you owe London?” Answer: “I’m proud to be a Londoner, so I owe it my pride.”
This is part of 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
Pie And Mash Shop, People Posed
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