October 1st was the beginning of Black History Month, a celebration of the heritage, achievements and contributions of black people all over the UK. Throughout Bexley, a wide range of activities have been offered to tell the rich and diverse stories of migration using real accounts from local residents.

Art is a Testimony to Black History:

Recently, I visited the Windrush Exhibition at Hall Place & Gardens that looks at the themes of migration and displays photographs, personal items and testimonies from local residents. All this history represents the contribution that migrants have made to Bexley, 70 years since the arrival of the Empire Windrush.  

The millennial generation does not receive enough exposure to Black History and personally, the ways in which I have always learnt about famous black people are through films, books and pictures which are all forms of art.

That is why the Windrush exhibition at all Hall Place makes such an important statement and that is: Art is a Testimony to Black History.

We can use art to express Black History heritage to visual learners because from experience I know that as soon as you enter the Art Gallery, your eyes can’t help but be drawn to that burst of black culture spread all over the wall. Hall Place is open to people of all ages, giving everyone the opportunity to learn about Black History which they may not have the chance to do at school or even at home.

The main purpose of this interactive exhibition is to teach, so The Exchange and Bexley African Caribbean Community Association deserves commendations for displaying such an educational exhibition.

I wanted to know if people have been looking at the exhibition and what their stance was regarding Black History, so I asked Emily, a worker at Hall Palace a few questions:

Q: Do you think that it is important to have art exhibitions centred on Black History?            

"Yes, we need more representation of black people, especially in art."

Q: Why do you think that people of all races should learn about Black History?

"We should not put a limit on what someone can learn, due to their race, and everyone needs a cultural experience."

Q: Do you think that art expresses our history and heritage and why?

"Yes, as it is a precise reflection of the time."

Q: Do you think that schools should use art as a way to teach Black History? 

"Yes, getting students to study Black artists especially, would push them to learn more about Black History and Culture."

Sometimes art can teach us a lot, and it is important to remember that Black History is a complex topic and people may need help to navigate through its significant eras, so having different teaching styles such as visual interpretation available to the general public ensures that everyone has a better understanding and cultural appreciation.

And even though the UK has come such a long way from slavery times to now having black and white people as equals, there is still under-representation of black voices in historical records, so what better than using art, as a mechanism of gaining recognition for cultures and identities around the world. 

Because after all seeing is believing...