Portsmouth Cathedral are honoured to be working with local photographer Charlotte Griffiths as she debuts her new exhibition inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement.
Charlotte’s journey to this project started several years ago, but it was last year, in the wake of George Floyd’s death, that she realised she had a bigger part to play in the Black Lives Matter movement.
Charlotte grew up in a predominately white area outside Portsmouth, being only one of a handful of black children at her school. She still remembers the harm and distress which racist comments can cause: “No matter how slight the comment may be,” she says, “or whether it was part of ‘banter,’ it is not acceptable on any level.” More recently, Charlotte’s experiences of racism directed at her young daughter, have given her the drive to celebrate black lives, especially those of women and young people.
After participating in one of the many acts of solidarity around the country last June, Charlotte saw the self-esteem her daughter and many other young black and brown people felt as they came together to be heard. Charlotte describes the pride she in turn felt in her daughter after attending, “At the end of the march, I was so proud. We sat and listened to people’s harrowing and heart wrenching stories that were upsetting beyond belief, and my daughter could not understand how people could act in such a way because of the colour of their skin.”
The exhibition combines Charlotte’s expert portrait photography, alongside the stories and experiences of black women and children in Portsmouth. A series of 10 portraits line the Nave of Portsmouth Cathedral, bringing together the struggles, triumphs, pain and happiness experienced by those involved.
Free entry, donation greatly appreciated.
Open daily from from 17 August to 16 September. Monday to Saturday 10am–3pm, Sunday 12:45pm–3pm.