Establishing the programme
In 2022, the Black Chiswick through History project launched with a mission of uncovering the stories of people, places and experiences connected to Black history hidden within the Chiswick House painting, sculptures and other historical objects.
In partnership with young people from Chiswick School and Hogarth Youth and Community Centre, guided by experienced practitioners, we focused on six unique objects within our collection, including the Caracalla bust, the painting of The Moroccan Ambassador and the Sphinx.
Delving into global and local connections and history, and combining this research with their own diverse experiences and backgrounds, the young people produced a series of thoughtful creative responses, culminating in a vivid display of their work within Chiswick House.
This process marked the beginning of a vital ongoing project, intended to gradually chip away barriers of race and class, and open up pathways for our local community to establish a meaningful connection with Chiswick House and its history.
This new way of seeing helps us to engage with audiences in ways that also enlarge the pool of knowledge for the benefit of all. We’re creating new stories that not only educate and entertain our visitors, but also make them feel, “Wow, I didn’t know that!” That is precisely how I felt as I experienced a change in my own perception of the place and its immense possibilities.
Raj Pal – Lead Curator on the audio guide
What they created
As part of their creative response to the stories and connections they discovered, participants produced a visually-rich collage, as well as video and audio content designed to illuminate some of the objects explored. These were incorporated into the House displays and included in tours, allowing general visitors and the wider community to benefit from the research and insights provided.
Feedback and responses
The project, and the displays and interpretation that followed, generated a range of thoughtful, often deeply moving responses from participants and from those involved in leading it, as well as from wider visitors.
These included reflections on the insights gained, and the positive way in which Black History and Black people were centred:
Seeing the objects chosen by the young people, The Caracalla bust, The Moroccan Ambassador, The Medici Vase and the Sphinx was uplifting. To me these objects showed their conscious decision to focus on the positive, the privilege and the power of Africans and black history instead of history I grew up on, slavery, poverty, suffering, struggle and oppression.
Ayesha Weekes, Creative Lead
I was really happy – thinking I can bring my kids here when I’m older to listen to my voice and I’ll be a cool dad!
Joshua, Hogarth Youth Centre member
It was interesting…to see how young people as visitors are being brought centre stage and black heritage acknowledged…very satisfied by the experience; feeling I had something to talk about to people who have taken the old interpretation for granted.
Visitor feedback
In Partnership with
