At HOME with Tony Fairweather
Interview with Tony Fairweather
Tony Fairweather, curator of BCA’s latest exhibition - HOME: Remembering the Windrush Generation - gives us an insight into this nostalgic recreation of the iconic Caribbean front room, kitchen and bedroom.
Tell us a bit about this exhibition…
The aim is to save the original artefacts from the Windrush era. The Windrush collection is a touring exhibition with all original artefacts that includes the legendary Caribbean Front Room/ Living Room. The Caribbean bedroom and kitchen are now part of the collection. The Exhibition has a smaller collection that can tour Schools and Colleges. This collection is for past and future generations to enjoy and learn about the brave young people who came from the Caribbean and Africa to the “Mother Country” that they only knew through books (no Google map, no satnav) many were aged between 18 - 25 years old.
Why did you want to do this at BCA?
BCA is the home of Caribbean history, so it’s the perfect place to hold this exhibition!
Which object in the collection has the most interesting story?
A rare vintage 1950’s Aladdin Blue Flame heater used all over the house. There was no central heating back in the day. The heater was used for cooking, heating the hot comb, heating water and the room. Many Windrush generation people have the burn marks from this heater either on their legs or arms from trying to keep warm.
What’s the most popular item in your collection?
The glass fish that every home had. It was originally the sign of a Christian home but became a fashion item in the ‘50s-’60s.
What’s your favourite object?
The Pall, it was a toilet used at night if you could not get to the outside toilet, it always get an emotional response from people.
Who do you want to come to this exhibition?
Anyone who is interested in history, all the Windrush Generation people and the young people so they can see how we use to live.
What classic item do you wish you had most in the Windrush Collection?
The front room drinks bar, not just any drinks bar but the moon shape one, cream in colour, with matching stools.
What are your thoughts on the Windrush scandal?
Disgusting… you pay your taxes, have a family then one day there’s a knock at the door?! Some of the Windrush people had to live on the streets, they lost their jobs, their house, their lives.
What is your hope for this exhibition?
To be placed in a museum on permanent display.
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HOME: Remembering the Windrush Generation is on at Black Cultural Archives until 10 September 2022.
Visit the exhibition: Black Cultural Archives, 1 Windrush Square, Brixton SW2 1EF
Times: Thursdays - Saturdays, 11:30am-5:00pm