A Windrush exhibition celebrating the lives of Caribbean migrants to the UK, which was vandalised while on display in south London, is now being shown at the Home Office.
The public art installation in Brixton’s Windrush Square was defaced on 3 July, an act described as “distressing” by local community groups. The exhibition was created to recognise the history, contributions, and legacy of the Windrush generation in Britain.
Mike Tapp, Minister for Migration and Citizenship, said bringing the exhibition to the Home Office was a way to “own the mistake.” He added: “Displaying this here, at the Home Office, where the Windrush scandal began and where errors were made, carries real significance.”
He reflected on the impact of meeting those featured in the exhibition, saying: “Hearing their stories will stay with me forever. These are remarkable people who, in my view, showed extraordinary courage. Turning anger into something so positive is a lesson we can all take, not just in the UK, but globally. You have to own mistakes to fix them, and only then can justice be delivered.”
The Windrush Untold Stories exhibition includes 20 portraits alongside first-hand accounts of people who arrived from the Caribbean between the late 1940s and 1970s.
Exhibition photographer Amit Lennon described the relocation of the portraits to the Home Office as “an incredible turnaround.” He wrote on social media: “The last time I was in that building was to photograph Theresa May as home secretary, when she had initiated the ‘hostile environment’ policy that caused so many injustices for Windrush migrants. Many compensation claims are still unresolved, but credit to the current ministers for highlighting these stories in the heart of government.”
Friends of Windrush Square condemned the vandalism, calling it “not only an attack on public art but a blatant act of racial hatred aimed at a community that has contributed so much to the life and spirit of the UK.”
The Metropolitan Police arrested a man in connection with the incident on suspicion of vandalism, racially aggravated criminal damage, and possessing articles with intent to destroy or damage property. He has been released on bail while further inquiries continue.
Police have stated that they do not believe the defacement was racially motivated, and the BBC understands that mental health issues may have been a factor in the incident.
The exhibition’s relocation to the Home Office symbolises a shift in how the UK government engages with the legacy of the Windrush scandal, offering a space to acknowledge past errors while celebrating the resilience and achievements of the Windrush generation.
This move has been welcomed by campaigners, who hope that displaying the portraits and personal stories within a government setting will provide recognition, respect, and a reminder of the lessons learned from one of the UK’s most significant immigration injustices.
