Ridley Road Stories Part 2

“Even before I arrived here, I was told this place is somewhere I would be welcomed”
— Black Star

Set on the streets of Ridley Road and Gillett Square in Dalston, this exhibition documents the stories of Caribbean and African locals. Highlighting these neighbourhoods as part of the fabric of East London, and their living legacies of protest and resistance. As a participatory arts project, Ridley Road Stories continues to support communities to share and archive their own histories. We combine documentary and co-authorship to create a hybrid genre of photographic storytelling. Our exhibitions are inclusive, working at the intersections of photography and social engagement. It is our belief that the visual arts should be on the streets for everyone.

Future Hackney have been producing this project with images and stories at www.futurehackney.com and @futurehackney. Thank you to all the people who have produced and supported this project. Visual Storytelling and Art direction by: Don Travis, Wayne Crichlow and guest Terence Douet

This exhibition celebrates Veronica Ryan’s artwork and her childhood memories of Ridley Road

24th September 2021 - 2022. Hackney Central Bridge, Mare Street, Hackney E8 1HY

This exhibition is commissioned by Create London in partnership with Hackney Council and supported by the Freelands Foundation and Hackney Windrush.

Bilqees and Lola We are on our way to a wedding and came here to get our geles fitted. These head-dresses are important in Yoruba culture - they are our crowns. Photo: Don Travis

Bilqees and Lola
We are on our way to a wedding and came here to get our geles fitted. These head-dresses are important in Yoruba culture - they are our crowns.
Photo: Don Travis

Denis I’m a Kingstonian, born in Jamaica. I came to this country in 1961, and stood by what my grandfather told me: “Stand up for liberty and defend those who are weak”. People around here know me as Denis The Champ. Photo: Don Travis

Denis
I’m a Kingstonian, born in Jamaica. I came to this country in 1961, and stood by what my grandfather told me: “Stand up for liberty and defend those who are weak”. People around here know me as Denis The Champ.
Photo: Don Travis

Trevor Life is better than fiction on this road. There is always something happening. Photo: Don Travis

Trevor
Life is better than fiction on this road. There is always something happening.
Photo: Don Travis

Azbera From a young child I dreamt of coming here, so I try to live a humble life and be conscious of the love of people and what is temporary. Photo: Don Travis

Azbera
From a young child I dreamt of coming here, so I try to live a humble life and be conscious of the love of people and what is temporary.
Photo: Don Travis

Peter The containers on Ridley Road are like a mini-Ghana. Everyone greets you when you arrive. Photo: Don Travis

Peter
The containers on Ridley Road are like a mini-Ghana. Everyone greets you when you arrive.
Photo: Don Travis

Soniya I like to offer natural goodness to the people of Ridley Road, which I believe is nectar from the gods.

Soniya
I like to offer natural goodness to the people of Ridley Road, which I believe is nectar from the gods.
Photo: Don Travis

Malachi If you come to my barber shop on Ridley Road, we are probably going to talk about Africa or Fela Kuti.

Malachi
If you come to my barber shop on Ridley Road, we are probably going to talk about Africa or Fela Kuti.
Photo: Don Travis

Kennyetta I arrived in Hackney from Monserrat, after a volcanic eruption mash up my country. I started coming to Gillett Square to feel the sound systems. Photo: Don Travis

Kennyetta
I arrived in Hackney from Monserrat, after a volcanic eruption mash up my country. I started coming to Gillett Square to feel the sound systems.
Photo: Don Travis

Joyclen I brought my siblings to this place when I was younger. Now I bring these young men to change the narrative around the way young black youth are portrayed. Photo: Wayne Crichlow

Joyclen
I brought my siblings to this place when I was younger. Now I bring these young men to change the narrative around the way young black youth are portrayed.
Photo: Wayne Crichlow

Errol People tell me my record shop reminds them of Ridley Road back in the 70s and 80s. My lion paw mural is inspired by the Lion of Judah, representing strength, kingship and pride.

Errol
People tell me my record shop reminds them of Ridley Road back in the 70s and 80s. My lion paw mural is inspired by the Lion of Judah, representing strength, kingship and pride.
Photo: Don Travis

Aziz I come to Gillett Square to be a part of the Zoom bike project. I love helping people and fixing things.

Aziz
I come to Gillett Square to be a part of the Zoom bike project. I love helping people and fixing things.
Photo: Don Travis

Ibrahim I play 80s soul music here outside my shop, where people come to socialise, dance and sometimes ask for help.

Ibrahim
I play 80s soul music here outside my shop, where people come to socialise, dance and sometimes ask for help.
Photo: Wayne Crichlow

Robert I decided to set up my shop here selling yams from Ghana, to be around people who give me a sense of strength and belonging.

Robert
I decided to set up my shop here selling yams from Ghana, to be around people who give me a sense of strength and belonging.
Photo: Wayne Crichlow

Atreka We are a plant-based Caribbean family and restaurant in Dalston. Everyone knows us as All Nations, we know them as kings and queens

Atreka
We are a plant-based Caribbean family and restaurant in Dalston. Everyone knows us as All Nations, we know them as kings and queens
Photo: Guest Youth Photographer Terence Douet

Ngozi and Rosanna We both have a special relationship with this space handed down from our mothers. Our support for women of African and Caribbean heritage relates to our histories here on this road.

Ngozi and Rosanna
We both have a special relationship with this space handed down from our mothers. Our support for women of African and Caribbean heritage relates to our histories here on this road.
Photo: Wayne Crichlow

Illyassou I got lost here when I was a baby, and when people found me, they took me back to my dad’s shop on Ridley Road.

Illyassou
I got lost here when I was a baby, and when people found me, they took me back to my dad’s shop on Ridley Road.
Photo: Wayne Crichlow

Ninette This is a place of Afrocentric culture that I associate with the comfort of family.

Ninette
This is a place of Afrocentric culture that I associate with the comfort of family.
Photo: Wayne Crichlow

Ryan I came here from the Bahamas to be myself and challenge the way people see gender norms. I’d like to go back there in the future and tell young people that it’s okay to be who you want to be.

Ryan
I came here from the Bahamas to be myself and challenge the way people see gender norms. I’d like to go back there in the future and tell young people that it’s okay to be who you want to be.
Photo: Don Travis

Video: Don Travis