‘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 Reverend Gary Piper, described in the exhibition guide as “Club Chaplain, Fulham Football Club, Craven Cottage”
Each Londoner was asked to provide answers to four questions. These are the answers provided by Reverend Gary Piper: Question: “Where do you go to show people the real London?” Answer: “I’d take someone to Fulham because it shows the whole spread of Londoners. You have rich and poor, from all backgrounds and ethnicities. It has parks, the river, estates and vicarages.” Question: “If you sent a postcard from London, what view would you choose?” Answer: “I think the view from the top of Richmond Park would make a great postcard. From there you can see St Paul’s, The Shard, the London Eye, Trellick Tower; the good and bad of London.” Question: “If there was another Great Fire of London, what historic building or place would you save?” Answer: “I’d save Fulham Football Club from another Great Fire. A place for home, community, family and football.” Question: “What do you owe London?” Answer: “I grew up here so I owe London an awful lot. I was educated here for free which has provided me with work, a livelihood and on-going challenges.”
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
Football Ground, Stadium, People Posed
Our website works best with the latest version of the browsers below, unfortunately your browser is not supported. Using an old browser means that some parts of our website might not work correctly.
