‘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 Bisi Alimi, described in the exhibition guide as “Gay Rights Activist, Public Speaker, Writer, HIV and LGBT Advocate and Executive Director, Bisi Alimi Foundation, Tower Bridge.”
Each Londoner was asked to provide answers to four questions. These are the answers provided by Bisi Alimi: Question: “Where do you go to show people the real London?” Answer: “My mum was here for Christmas and I took her to East Street, where the Nigerian market is, she was so overwhelmed to see a street market just like home. To me that’s the real London, the fact that I can be miles away from my country of birth and still feel so very much at home.” Question: “If you sent a postcard from London, what view would you choose?” Answer: “I’d choose a view of Peckham for my postcard. I lived there for some time. It’s like the melting pot of London.” Question: “If there was another Great Fire of London, what historic building or place would you save?” Answer: “I’d save the London Eye from another Great Fire. I can see it from my apartment and every time I look at it I think it’s beautiful. It has the best New Year’s Eve firework display in the world.” Question: “What do you owe London?” Answer: “London is a multicultural, beautiful, door of opportunity city where everyone is welcome. Americans pride themselves on the American dream. No. London is the dream, this is where the dream happens.”
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
Bridge, People Posed, Lgbtqia+ Heritage
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