Following the Second World War, thousands of people from Commonwealth countries in the Caribbean were invited by the British government to relocate to the UK to address labour shortages. They, along with their descendants, are often referred to as the Windrush generation, after the ship HMT Empire Windrush on which the first group arrived in 1948.
In 2020, Autograph acquired a portfolio of 37 works from the TopFoto archives, some of which can be seen here for the first time punctuated with the profound words of Professor Stuart Hall. These works share the journey before, during and after arriving in the UK.
These important photographs, alongside their stories, are now part of Autograph’s permanent Collection of Photography that aims to preserve the legacy of important narratives that have contributed to British history.
View more works from the TopFoto archives, now part of Autograph’s permanent Collection of Photography that aims to preserve the legacy of important narratives that have contributed to British history.
View GalleryA project to increase access to Autograph's collection and ensure robust collection care
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All images are from TopFoto, one of the world’s great independent photographic archives, since 1927. In 2020 TopFoto was awarded a Cultural Recovery Grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to protect their internationally significant collections. Find out more at topfoto.co.uk
Thanks to National Lottery players
Banner image: Some of the thousands disembarking from the liner Begona at Southampton shortly before the Commonwealth Immigration Act came into force. 2nd July 1962 [detail]. Courtesy TopFoto.
Display preview: All images are from TopFoto, one of the world’s great independent photographic archives, since 1927. In 2020 TopFoto was awarded a Cultural Recovery Grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to protect their internationally significant collections. Find out more at topfoto.co.uk
Other images on page: 1) Clapham South Deep-Level Shelter, London, 22 June 1948. Courtesy TopFoto. 2) Image of Autograph's archive. 3) Autograph, photograph by Kate Elliot. 4) Sasha Huber, Agassiz Down Under [detail], 2015. Courtesy the artist.
Autograph is a place to see things differently. Since 1988, we have championed photography that explores issues of race, identity, representation, human rights and social justice, sharing how photographs reflect lived experiences and shape our understanding of ourselves and others.