When I first made contact with Jim Grover for the Windrush celebrations we had no idea of the impact his photo essays of the descendants of the Windrush Generation  would have, although their historical value was at the forefront of his thinking. He had spent 11 months with families, their friends and associates immersing himself in their lifestyle, customs, culture and communities documenting their lives in photographs.

The result of this nationally recognised archive is far reaching. His photographs appear in the news, some are used for front covers of magazines and others simply to depict a particular story.

So many stories are told and captured through this series of photographic essays. Grover says “ I was determined to find an intact example of the legendary ‘Jamaican Front Room.’  I wanted to experience, first hand a Friday ‘open house when as many as four generations of a family come together.”   He was  also able track down an “original Windrusher” Alford Gardner who had arrived on the SS Windrush in 1948. Alford now 93 consulted on the hugely successful Small Island play at the National Theatre earlier this year.

The Portrait of a Generation exhibition is now on at Fairfield Halls Croydon until 12th January 2020.

Alford Gardner himself will be present for a Q & A on 26th October at 12 noon. The event is free.

Address: Fairfield Halls, Park Lane Croydon CR9 1DG