Cathy's Art Diary

Moving exhibition at the Centre for British Photography of photographs by Charlie Phillips recording 50 years of African Caribbean funerals in London. These photographs built a lovely picture of a community. There were good labels telling you who people were, the living and the dead, and cross-referencing people who appeared in more than one photograph. They also highlighted the social and emotional traditions of this group including the filling in off the grave by mourners. Personally I’m now putting the idea of pouring a libation of rum in the grave on my wish list! Closed 17 December 2023 and sadly the gallery has now closed while they look for a new venue. 

Interesting small exhibition at the Royal Festival Hall focusing on photographer Charlie Phillips. Phillips is a British Jamaican photographer who has documented life in the west London communities of Ladbroke Grove and Notting Hill. His archive, which is currently being digitised by fellow photographer Eddie Otchere, has in particular recorded the history of the Notting Hill Carnival from its beginnings. There was a nice selection of pictures as well as a small case showing part of his collection of shipping memorabilia. It came with a good video of Phillips discussing some of the pictures in the display. Closes 31 August 2021