Museum of Londoners

The latest in the Museum of Londoners photo series celebrates local mums-to-be, who have welcomed their new arrivals in 2019 in Waltham Forest, the Mayor’s first ever London Borough of Culture. As part of the museum’s support for Waltham Forest, this series of high-impact photography will adorn the exterior of the museum’s new home in West Smithfield, part of the City of London’s Culture Mile, which stretches from Farringdon to Moorgate.

From Leyton to Chingford, each woman and her bump are captured in a unique setting special to them: at home, at work, or at local landmarks highlighting their connection to the surrounding area.

The latest collaboration between the Museum of London and creative agency Kessels Kramer, perfectly captures the diverse, inspiring and individual personalities of Waltham Forest, helping to cement that the new Museum of London will be truly reflective of London and Londoners.

The photographer behind the series, London-based Lucy Alex Mac, has previously worked with publications like ES Magazine and i-D Magazine. Through her work, Mac has worked with flamboyant and offbeat personalities, all portrayed on frames as unconventional as their characters.

Kimberley is a full-time mum, who makes carnival garments. Her newest addition to the family was welcomed early in 2019. ‘I chose my mum’s Living room because it is a place we congregate as a family it’s has lots of lovely memories and laughs over 25 years as it was our childhood family home. It’s somewhere that I go to escape the stresses of life. I grew up in Waltham Forest after moving here from Jamaica as a young child.’

Kimberley also has a 12-year-old and 2-year old twins. She has been living in Walthamstow since she was around 8 or 9 years old. For Kimberley, her safe space is her mother’s house, also in Walthamstow. To pass the time, Kimberley loves to go to the park God’s Own Junkyard. Kimberley feels most empowered while helping others.

Denise is of Irish descent, born and raised in Walthamstow. There, she lives in the house that she grew up in, which has also been converted into a nursery, which she manages. She currently has a 2-year-old daughter and her new baby arrived early in 2019. To pass the time, Denise loves walking Molly the dog. To relax, Denise loves to visit this little spot in Walthamstow where she can relax and get massages or acupuncture. She feels most empowered while taking care of people.

“I feel like the best quality time spent with my baby is first thing in the morning where they wake you up with a big smile and a cuddle and then they demand feeding!

Having access to toys as well as singing along to banging a few pots and spoons passes a lot of time! My siblings and I were all born in Whipps Cross and we turned our family home of 30 years (in Walthamstow) into a nursery 6 years ago where our children attend/attended.

We now care for over 140 local children everyday! I still live in the area and am pleased at how many improvements there have been over the last few years with a renewed community spirit and lots of things to see and do especially for young children.”

Leila works at a mental health charity. She loves to visit the William Morris Gallery, which is one of the reasons for moving to Walthamstow six years ago and has a 2-year old girl. Her baby is due in spring 2019. Leila believes political opinion was a big part of her upbringing, and she took her daughter to the Women’s’ march.

“William Morris’ focus on both art and politics really appeals to me, and I have loved going to the various events there. I walked around Lloyd Park surrounding the museum, as I had contractions with my first born, and spend a lot of time with my daughter there now. When she was very small getting her to sleep in her sling then looking round the visiting exhibitions at the William Morris kept me sane!

We moved to Waltham Forest in 2013. We knew the area as my step dad grew up nearby and always parked here to go down to watch Arsenal play! We love the area and loved all the stuff going on which we enjoyed when we were child free, but thankfully there’s still so much to do now we’re bringing up our family here!”

Naomi is a brand stylist and jewellery designer. She collects natural objects like shells, stones and seed pods to inspire her jewellery. She was drawn to the area for its community feel.

‘Even though I live and work in the city, nature and outdoor space has always been very important to me. Living in Walthamstow has been amazing as you have the Marshes and Wetlands on your doorstep.

I love coming down to the marshes on the weekends with my partner and walking along the canal, I can’t wait to bring our son here when he arrives! I also love to draw from objects I collect on walks which inspire the jewellery I design. Small sentimental objects are so important to me as they take you right back to that place or experience.

Both me and my partner grew up in Brighton and moved to Walthamstow in 2013. We were immediately drawn to the area over others as it didn’t feel like the rest of London. It has a really welcoming community vibe and a local artist community. It felt already like a home from home and we are so excited to start our family here.

Leslie is an artist, and has been studying and volunteering in horticulture since 2017. She welcomed her baby in January 2019.
‘OrganicLea is an invaluable community resource in Waltham Forest, where we live. I have been volunteering and studying horticulture at Hawkwood Nursery since 2017. My husband grew up in the area and we moved back when I was pregnant with our first child in 2016.’

Sherrelle is a Beauty Therapy Lecturer and has lived in Waltham Forest for 2 years. She welcomed her baby in January 2019.

“The shoot took place at my family home. “Home is where the heart is”. We’re a very homely based family and love being cosy indoors, enjoying family time. Playing games, laughing, eating, watching movies and feeling safe and secure.

So, I thought the perfect location would be there. I have been living in Waltham forest for about 2 years now but my partner was born here. He has made me love where he grew up and we enjoy it as a family. It’s a very diverse, peaceful and lovely area to live in.”

Anna is a yoga teacher, who grew up around the area. Her baby is due in March 2019.

“Who doesn’t like dinosaurs in amongst a bit of urban concrete! I grew up in North/East London and was never going to move very far away.

Anna is a Clinical Psychologist, having grown up by the seaside, she enjoys nature and being outdoors. Her baby is due in March 2019.

“The Chingford Model Railway Club was chosen as the venue for this shoot because I really enjoy being outdoors. Growing up by the sea means that natural world is close to my heart. I hold on to the feeling that being out in nature brings, of being a very small part of a much bigger picture. Also, who doesn’t like going on train adventures? I live in Waltham Forest.”

The latest in the Museum of Londoners photo series celebrates local mums-to-be, who have welcomed their new arrivals in 2019 in Waltham Forest, the Mayor’s first ever London Borough of Culture. As part of the museum’s support for Waltham Forest, this series of high-impact photography will adorn the exterior of the museum’s new home in West Smithfield, part of the City of London’s Culture Mile, which stretches from Farringdon to Moorgate.

From Leyton to Chingford, each woman and her bump are captured in a unique setting special to them: at home, at work, or at local landmarks highlighting their connection to the surrounding area.

The latest collaboration between the Museum of London and creative agency Kessels Kramer, perfectly captures the diverse, inspiring and individual personalities of Waltham Forest, helping to cement that the new Museum of London will be truly reflective of London and Londoners.

The photographer behind the series, London-based Lucy Alex Mac, has previously worked with publications like ES Magazine and I-d Magazine

Clara is a Civil Engineer for Crossrail, working in Farringdon.

“I’m originally from Barcelona and moved to London in September 2016. I currently work as a Civil Engineer at Farringdon Station on the Crossrail Project, and couldn’t be happier about my decision to move to London.

London is intense, fascinating and full of life! Londoners and the multi-cultural atmosphere are what make London such an amazing and mysteriously inspirational city.

Tourists love London when they come to visit, but I believe it is a city you need to experience to realise how great it is.

There are always new and special places to discover, and no matter the age, nationality, culture or gender, you will always find somewhere that makes you actually feel at home!”

Ellie is a hairdresser, working in West Smithfield.

Kasra is a DJ at Fabric nightclub.

“I’m currently living in Stratford but was born in West London. London has been my home all my life.

I come to Smithfield to work but as that work is to DJ at Fabric I also come to Smithfield to have fun.

The best thing about the Smithfield area is Fabric.

London’s greatest asset is the people, and the people who come here from all over the world; to live, work and enjoy what the city has to offer. The experience of day to day life and the sometimes extraordinary things that can happen in a city with so much energy are a constant source of inspiration.

I would love to see something in the new Museum of London that represent the great gift that club culture gives to this city. The music born in the clubs of London is a gift to the world to be celebrated.

We can tell the stories of London better by listening to each other more intently – modern life and technology means we sometimes don’t take the time to.

For me, a Londoner is a person who celebrates diversity and is someone who stands on the right hand side on the escalators.”

Hugo is a Goldsmiths’ apprentice.

Husaina is a shop worker.

Judith is a pub landlord.

Kieran is a butcher at Smithfield Market.

“I moved to London about four years ago from Wolverhampton for a better career.

It was a hard start but now I’m a qualified butcher at the meat market in Smithfield. I couldn’t ask for a better job. It’s fun and full of friendly people who will always help you out if you need it; I always say “there is no place like the market!”

London is what you make it. There are loads of opportunities to be anything you want. I used to be a metal polisher and never thought I’d end up being a professional butcher!

I’d like to thank the City of London and my employer for the head start they have given me in my life.”

Sergio is a cafe owner.

A group of derelict Victorian market buildings in West Smithfield, the site of the new Museum of London, have been draped with striking images of Londoners, the largest of which measures 40 by 60ft. The portraits, taken by prolific grime photographer; 20 year old Vicky Grout, put Londoners front and centre of the museum’s new creative campaign: Museum of Londoners.

Capturing a cross-section of real Londoners who work or spend time in West Smithfield, ranging from a market butcher, a Crossrail engineer, a trainee hairdresser to a Goldsmith apprentice and a local café owner, they reflect the area’s vibrancy at its best.