A groundbreaking new exhibition has opened at London Museum Docklands in West India Quay, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and artistic contributions of Britain's Romani communities. The display, titled "By Appointment Only," features works by three British Romani artists that challenge long-standing stereotypes and promote greater understanding and connection between Romani and mainstream British culture.
The exhibition's title draws from a painful chapter in British history. Romani communities were first documented in Britain in the early 1500s, yet discrimination persisted well into modern times. As recently as the 1990s, signs reading "No travellers or gypsies allowed" were commonly displayed in pubs and restaurants across the country. This phrase later evolved into the more subtle "Travellers by appointment only," which inspired the exhibition's name and reflects the ongoing struggle for acceptance and recognition.
Co-curator and artist Corrina Eastwood, who helped organize the project, described the experience as a "really important personal and professional journey." She explained that "the desire to adequately honour self, family, community and culture has been a moving and at times overwhelming experience. Yet we have been able to address this by weaving together shared histories, gathered through traditional archiving and an art-based approach." Eastwood's featured piece, "Sugar Coated," serves as a deeply personal reflection on her heritage and memories of her late father, incorporating 3D-printed casts of his hands as central elements.
Another prominent work in the exhibition comes from artist Delaine Le Bas, whose piece "Tap Your Heels Together Three Times" explores complex themes of belonging, gender identity, and modernity within Romani culture. Le Bas draws extensively on her family history and traditional Romani practices, including the historical occupation of rag-and-bone dealing, where dealers would collect unwanted household items such as rags, bones, and scrap metal to sell for recycling purposes.
South-east London artist Dan Turner contributes his own perspective by examining the intricate relationship between Romani and mainstream British culture through his artwork. Turner's pieces highlight traditional Romani crafts that were once commonly sold door-to-door, providing visitors with insight into the economic and cultural practices that sustained these communities for generations.
The exhibition extends beyond visual art to include multimedia elements that provide historical context. A film by Historic England titled "Searching for Romani Gypsy Heritage," created by award-winning filmmaker John-Henry Phillips, traces the extensive history of Romani communities from 500 AD through 2022. This comprehensive documentary offers visitors a broader understanding of the long and complex relationship between Romani people and British society.
The Reflections Room, which houses this exhibition, is located on the second floor of the London Museum Docklands and opened to the public in 2024. Both the exhibition and the entire museum are free to visit, making this important cultural experience accessible to all members of the community. Eastwood characterized the space as a "beautifully human alternative space for the acknowledgment of important, often unspoken histories," emphasizing the exhibition's role in bringing marginalized narratives into public discourse and fostering dialogue about cultural diversity and inclusion in contemporary Britain.
