Windrush Stories
The Real Selfie Project is a collaboration between photographer Rafael Hortala-Vallve (autofoto.org) and filmmaker Nick Francis (speakit.org). Using an analogue photobooth from the 1970s as their camera of choice, the duo capture portraits and collect personal stories of people living in London. The images and stories in this book were captured at Hackney’s annual celebration of the Windrush generation at Stoke Newington Town Hall on June 22nd 2019. With thanks to Ali Elisa, Learning & Participation Manager at Autograph ABP Gallery, and Petra Roberts, Cultural Development Manager at Hackney Council. Follow us on Instagram @therealselfieproject
The Real Selfie Project is a collaboration between photographer Rafael Hortala-Vallve (autofoto.org) and filmmaker Nick Francis (speakit.org). Using an analogue photobooth from the 1970s as their camera of choice, the duo capture portraits and collect personal stories of people living in London.
The images and stories in this book were captured at Hackney’s annual celebration of the Windrush generation at Stoke Newington Town Hall on June 22nd 2019.
With thanks to Ali Elisa, Learning & Participation Manager at Autograph ABP Gallery, and Petra Roberts, Cultural Development Manager at Hackney Council.
Follow us on Instagram @therealselfieproject
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The Windrush Generation
Between 1948 to 1971, successive British
governments invited thousands of people from
Commonwealth countries in the Caribbean to
relocate to Britain to address labour shortages
following the Second World War. They were named
the ‘Windrush generation’ after the ship ‘Empire
Windrush’ on which the first group arrived.
Despite widely being considered British citizens,
many didn’t receive formal identity papers. When
new laws came into force with the Immigration Act
2014 many people faced immigration checks and
had difficulty demonstrating their lawful status. This
led to many people being denied access to benefits,
healthcare, social housing and losing employment.
Some were even detained and deported.
In the wake of the scandal, a National Windrush
Day was established, to celebrate the contributions
made by the Windrush generation and their
descendants.
According to Hackney Council ‘about 8% of
Hackney’s population is of Afro-Caribbean ethnic
background and it’s believed the borough is home
to hundreds, if not thousands, of the Windrush
generation, and many more from Commonwealth
countries across the globe’.
The images and stories in this book were captured
at Hackney’s annual celebration of the Windrush
generation at Stoke Newington Town Hall on June
22nd 2019.
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