Ties That Bind: Reflections on Black Life, Surviving Hostile Environments, and Mental Health 
9th May - 8th September 2024 (usual opening hours - click here)
Black Cultural Archives
 
This mixed-media exhibition opens a space for reflection on Black mental health, connecting intergenerational experiences of Black life in the UK. The exhibition centres around data collected as part of UCL’s Ties that Bind project – which is the first of its kind to explore the intergenerational and wider mental health consequences of the Windrush scandal on Black Caribbean and Black African families and the wider Black community.   

Through photography, poetry, spoken word, and a multi-media collage, this exhibit explores themes such as the necessity of intergenerational engagement; the weight of Black existence on mental health; the necessity of seeking joy, and the impacts of the Home Office scandal on wider communities.  The exhibit also features highlights from the 'Ties that Bind' research programme, including a model of how mental health consequences of the scandal, and priorities for future action to address these needs among survivors and communities. 

“The 'Ties That Bind' exhibition is more than just a showcase of art.  It is a crucial forum for education and connection, aiming to ignite discussions that bridge generational gaps and foster a deeper understanding of the complex mental health challenges facing the Black community today.”      Hannah John –MBA, FRSA, CMgr – Deputy Director - Black Cultural Archives.

Curated by Dr. Rochelle A. Burgess (UCL), Ties that Bind, Principal Investigator Young researchers, WCEN Black Minds Matter