A groundbreaking new exhibition honoring the creativity, craftsmanship, and resilience of Britain's Romani communities has opened at the London Museum Docklands in West India Quay. The display, titled "By Appointment Only," showcases the work of three prominent British Romani artists whose pieces aim to challenge long-standing stereotypes and promote better understanding and connection with these historically marginalized communities.
The exhibition's title carries deep historical significance, referencing a discriminatory practice that persisted well into recent decades. Romani communities were first documented in Britain in the early 1500s, yet as recently as the 1990s, it remained common to see signs in pubs and restaurants reading "No travelers or gypsies allowed." This exclusionary phrase later evolved into the slightly more diplomatic "Travelers by appointment only," which now serves as the powerful title for this transformative art exhibition.
Co-curator and artist Corrina Eastwood, who helped develop the project, described working on the exhibition as a "really important personal and professional journey." She explained that "the desire to adequately honor self, family, community and culture has been a moving and at times overwhelming experience." Eastwood emphasized that the team was able to address these emotional challenges "by weaving together shared histories, gathered through traditional archiving and an art-based approach."
The featured artwork explores deeply personal themes of heritage, identity, and belonging. Eastwood's piece, titled "Sugar Coated," reflects on her own heritage and memories of her late father, incorporating 3D-printed casts of his hands as a touching tribute. Another powerful work, "Tap Your Heels Together Three Times" by artist Delaine Le Bas, explores complex themes of belonging, gender, and modernity within Romani culture. Le Bas draws extensively on her family history and traditional Romani practices such as rag-and-bone dealing, where dealers historically collected unwanted household items like rags, bones, and scrap metal to sell for recycling.
South-east London artist Dan Turner contributes works that examine the often complex relationship between Romani and mainstream British culture. His pieces highlight traditional Romani crafts that were once commonly sold door to door, preserving and celebrating these important cultural practices that many people may not be familiar with today.
Beyond the artwork itself, the exhibition includes additional educational components designed to provide historical context. The display features a Historic England film titled "Searching for Romani Gypsy Heritage," created by award-winning filmmaker John-Henry Phillips. This comprehensive documentary traces the remarkable history of Romani communities from 500 AD all the way up to 2022, offering visitors a sweeping view of this rich cultural heritage.
The exhibition is housed in the Reflections Room, which is located on the second floor of the London Museum Docklands and opened in 2024. Both the special exhibition and the entire museum are free to visit, making this important cultural experience accessible to all members of the public. Eastwood described the Reflections Room as a "beautifully human alternative space for the acknowledgment of important, often unspoken histories," emphasizing its role in giving voice to communities whose stories have too often been overlooked or misrepresented in mainstream cultural institutions.
