76 years ago, the HMT Empire Windrush docked in Britain, following the end of WWII. It brought with it hope, aspiration, stories, and people who were exploring a new land for the first time. These people have formed incredibly diverse communities across the U.K., including in Sheffield, which Weston Park Museum’s latest exhibition aims to spotlight.
Sheffield Stories: Caribbean Footsteps is the latest exhibition in the ‘Sheffield Stories’ series, this time looking at the African Caribbean experience in Sheffield and celebrating their hardships and achievements. Documenting the routes migrants took from the voyage of the HMT Empire Windrush all the way to the present day, the gallery looks at the remarkable stories of those who made Sheffield their home, their descendants and the impact they have made on the diverse communities of the city. With testimonies, poems, artefacts and artwork, Caribbean Footsteps tells their stories, which are representative of generations of people in our Steel City.
I want to start by pointing out that I am very glad an exhibit like this has been curated. Shining a light on all people within our communities is particularly important and having an exhibit such as this is a fantastic opportunity to do just that. I was also particularly lucky to visit this gallery just a few days after Windrush Day, which was a fortunate coincidence which I believe hugely added to my experience of this gallery.
There is a lot going on here. Every wall is filled with all sorts of printed poems, art and artefacts of all sources and subject matters, and the walls dotted with cabinets and cases with everything from cutlery and magazines to crafts and documentation all from local people with local stories to tell. Having testimonies from people in the local area telling their own story gives the exhibition a real sense of localism and authenticity, which you can often struggle to find in other such galleries.
I was so taken back by the various stories and realities on display here. Hearing from many people about their own and their families’ experiences was hugely informative and provides a gateway into a world that I myself can only imagine, and seeing everything that makes up these stories is wonderful to see, from the journeys these individuals took to get here, to the fantastic things they have done upon arrival.
However, some of the artworks including the most captivating pieces, were not labelled with their names or artists. For an exhibit which aims to highlight the people behind these stories, this was a huge oversight and in some cases seriously detracts from the message Caribbean Footsteps is attempting to portray. You’re met in some cases with beautiful works but no named person to credit for it which impacted my enjoyment a lot more than I thought it could. When you’re surrounded by fantastic and personal stories, and then confronted by unattributed works, this disconnect is a lot more jarring than it may be in other galleries, and I believe has a disproportionate impact on the entire gallery.
Nevertheless, I am very glad to see an exhibit specifically celebrating migrants, migration and the communities they have built in our city, which so often face demonisation. The small exhibit is easy to explore and is worth a visit if you’re nearby, even just to hear about those you may live nearby but have never met.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Sheffield Stories: Caribbean Footsteps is on display in Weston Park Museum until May 2027
