An exhibition honouring the history and legacy of the Windrush Generation has been vandalised in Brixton in an “act of racial hatred”.
Portraits featured in the Windrush Untold Stories exhibition, installed in Windrush Square, were spray-painted or scratched over early on Thursday.
Friends of Windrush Square believed the vandalism was deliberate and described it as “a blatant act of racial hatred directed at a community that has given so much to the life and spirit of the UK”.
The group’s chair Ros Griffiths told the Standard: “It’s very upsetting. A couple of weeks ago it was Windrush Day and hundreds came out to remember the legacy of the Windrush Generation.
“The exhibition had been up for two weeks. I urged everyone to stand in solidarity with the Windrush Generation.”
Ms Griffiths explained she believes the incident was carried out deliberately as all of the portraits in the public exhibition have been defaced.
She continued: “Windrush Untold Stories was created to celebrate the contributions and resilience of the Windrush Generation, whose story is central to the fabric of British life.
“That it should be targeted in such a hateful way is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges we face in building an inclusive and respectful society.”
However, the BBC has reported that the incident may be mental health-related.
The Met Police said officers were called to reports of vandalism at Windrush Square. Police spoke to a man but no arrests were made.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Local neighbourhood officers have been in contact with the organiser of the exhibition and are providing reassurance to the community, who we understand will be distressed by this act.
“The community is urged to approach local officers if concerned by the nature of this damage.”
The vandalism has shocked residents, artists and volunteers who took part in the project, with many having a direct connection to the Windrush Generation.
Among those featured in the exhibition was the late Clovis Salmon, affectionately known as Sam the Wheels — a documentarian, photographer and proud member of the Windrush Generation. His work chronicled decades of Black British history and community life.
The exhibition cost £100,000 to set up and was funded by Lambeth Council, Ms Griffiths explained.
She told the Standard that Mr Salmon had died in June just weeks before the exhibition opened, and the vandalism has been particularly painful for those who were close to him.
“He didn’t get to see his portrait on the square,” she said, adding that his family had been distressed by the damage.
She said: “They thought it was a really fitting tribute to their father and grandfather’s legacy.”
Lambeth councillor Donatus Anyanwu said he was “deeply saddened” that the exhibition had been vandalised.
He added: "This act of vandalism sours the community spirit and sense of unity that we've built, but we won't let an act of criminality derail our commitment to celebrating our diversity, or our commitment to making Lambeth a borough of equity and justice."
Police enquiries continue. Anyone with information that may assist police is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 1182/July3.
