WINDRUSH DAY
PAST EVENT
Windrush Day celebrates and commemorates the arrival of the Empire Windrush from the Caribbean in 1948 and the contribution of the Windrush Generation to British life.
This was a special celebration at the Ashmolean Museum with a vibrant programme of music, dance, stories, talks and tours.
The event was part of a programme of Windrush events across the city of Oxford and linked to the Nice Cup of Tea? contemporary art installation. It was designed and delivered collaboratively with community partners.
THIS WAS THE EVENT PROGRAMME
PEFORMANCE
Caribbean Carnival
Atrium 3.30-4pm
A joyous Caribbean carnival workshop. We tried some carnival dance moves with choreographer Beverley Harry and saw some fabulous carnival costume.
Black Voices ‘Scratch’ Choir
Atrium 1.30pm
An informal performance by participants from the morning’s ‘Black Voices’ Singing workshop.
Pop-up monologues
Throughout the museum. Between 12-3.30. No set times
Pop-up Windrush-inspired monologues throughout the day.
TALKS
Black Cenotaph: Saluting the Unknown Soldiers
With Natty Mark Samuels,
Headley Lecture Theatre (lower ground floor) 2 - 3.30pm
An interactive talk celebrating the contribution of black people to the defeat of facism. Natty Mark Samuels is the founder of the African School, a cultural education project based in Oxford. He works as an adult tutor for Abingdon and Witney College, and delivers workshops at Oxford Brookes University for the Equality/ Diversity and Art departments.
Uncomfortable Object Talks
1pm - Gallery 2 - 'The Purpose of a Museum'
1.30pm - Gallery 20 - 'Repatriation and Archaeology'
2pm - Gallery 5 - 'British Archaeology and Colonial Influence'
2.20pm - Gallery 24 - 'Ethics of Display: Human Remains’
We encountered uncomfortable objects in the Ashmolean with leaders from the Uncomfortable Oxford team. Uncomfortable Oxford was founded by Oxford University students to raise awareness and create discourse in the city about uncomfortable, and often hidden, aspects of our shared history.
ART & FILM INSTALLATIONS
Nice Cup of Tea?
Gallery 40 (level 2) All Day, Every Day, until 22 March 2020
Learn the untold stories and hidden narratives of empire, trade and transatlantic slavery though this contemporary art installation inspired by the Ashmolean’s European Ceramics collections. Co-curated by artists Enam Gbewonyo and Lois Muddiman, community partners and Ashmolean staff. Supported by The Arts Society Oxford.
i-Creatives Installations: Inspired by the words of the Windrush generation
Atrium (lower ground) & Galleries 39, 40 & 44 (level 2) 12-4pm Drop-in
A group of young people worked alongside members of Oxford’s African- Caribbean community to inspire their creative endeavours. The project was developed and hosted by ACKHI, Fusion Arts, BK.LUWO and Kuumba Nia Arts. Supported by Oxford Brookes University.
Living Room
Jameel Alcove (lower ground floor) 12-4pm Drop-in
An opportunity to relax, enjoy and view images of the Windrush project in Oxford and see some of the objects found in the typical Caribbean home.
Church Cowley St. James Primary School Art Project
Gallery 31 (level 1) 12-4pm Drop-in
Year 6 pupils worked with artist Allyson Austin on the theme of Windrush and migration. Part of the Oxford Cultural Education Partnership.
CRAFT ACTIVITIES & GAMES
Windrush Birds and Carnival
Learning Studio (lower ground floor) 12-4pm. Drop-in
Colourful and creative Windrush-inspired making activities.
Book Work
Gallery 35 (level 2) 12-4pm Drop-in
Memories of the Windrush generation in Oxford. A chance to make your own book with artist Sesha Nicholson-Lailey.
Games
Gallery 31 (level 1) 12-4pm Drop-in
A chance to sit, relax and enjoy a game of dominoes or Owari.
The event was FREE and no booking was required.
