‘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 Morag Myerscough, described in the exhibition guide as “Designer and Placemaker, Myerscough Studio, Hoxton”
Each Londoner was asked to provide answers to four questions. These are the answers provided by Morag Myerscough: Question: “Where do you go to show people the real London?” Answer: “I’ve been in Hackney 10 years. This is where I would show people the real London because it is where I have my history and feel I belong.” Question: “If you sent a postcard from London, what view would you choose?” Answer: “A place I think is really beautiful is along the canals, so I might send a postcard of there. I walk a lot along the canal between my studio and Victoria Park and would like to get a picture with the ducks and gleam on the water. I can see how the canals have become residential and made a lot more friendly.” Question: “If there was another Great Fire of London, what historic building or place would you save?” Answer: “I’d save the Royal Festival Hall and the Southbank from another Great Fire. It’s a place where everyone can go to, a place of meeting. It’s been transformed and is totally crazy and phenomenally brilliant.” Question: “What do you owe London?” Answer: “I owe London everything really. My education, my work, my wellbeing, my character, my voice. There are no limitations here. It’s hard but if you can do it, there’s nothing stopping you.”
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
Artists Studio, People Posed
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