Black and white photos of Windrush Generation members in Leeds brought to life

A LEEDS charity is all set to unveil an online gallery showcasing newly colourised black and white photos of Windrush Generation members who made their homes in the city.

Chapeltown based Jamaica Society Leeds, launched the Back to Life gallery on its website.

The 40 photos, taken between the 1940s and the 1960s of first generation Jamaicans have been drawn from hundreds collected for the Society’s record breaking 2019 Eulogy Exhibition which commemorated the lives of this pioneering group.

Everyday images

The photos depict all aspects of life for the newly arrived Jamaicans – everyday images of young couples, families and people making a living will sit alongside those of activists and RAF veterans.

Back to Life Curator, Susan Pitter said: “Pulling together the Back to Life gallery has been an eye opener. Colour reveals details that were once hidden in black, white and grey. Landscapes and buildings in colour transport us to Leeds and Jamaica in days gone by; seeing outfit colours give us an idea of the personalities of the city’s first generation Jamaicans as young people.”

She added: “It was important to work closely with their families and friends, who were around when the photos were taken or could confirm the colour of details that are true to their loved ones – style choices, uniforms, the door of a first home in Leeds, and most importantly skin colour.”

Homer Harriott’s late parents, George and Veryl Harriott, came to Leeds from Jamaica in 1960 with baby Homer and his two brothers.

Stunned

He said: “I’ve seen the photos all my life of my Dad as a young musician in 1950s Jamaica, and of my mum in the 60s when she was starting out as an activist in Leeds. But I was stunned to see how colour has transformed them. It’s like being there in Jamaica and seeing my mum as I did as a child. They’re stunning.”

FAMILY STORY: The late Clarissa Louisa Sewell came from Jamaica in 1955. She and her husband Hugh raised 11 children, five of whom are seen here her sister Emily Hyde (r ) and family friend Pat (back row, centre.) *Original black and white photo: Gerald Donne*

Back to Life has been made possible with funding from Arts Council England’s Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund which is supported by the National Lottery and Government.

Pete Massey, Director, North, Arts Council England said: “I am so pleased that we have been able to support this project through our Emergency Response Fund.

“The Jamaican community of Leeds has helped to make the city the great place that it is today, and it is important that we are celebrating the contribution of people who uprooted their lives to support not only the war effort but the recovery of Britain in the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

“I’m really excited to see the results of this work that brings this important part of our heritage to life and can also be experienced online during the current crisis.”

Magical

He continued: “There is something truly magical about colourised old black and white photos that forces a reappraisal of the subjects and their lives and literally allows you to see them in a new light.”

Prints of the online gallery will also be produced.

TRAILBLAZER: (Left) Jamaican born Charles ‘Charlie’ Dawkins (1920 – 1986) with fellow RAF servicemen c.1945. Dawkins was among the first West Indians to settled in Leeds after the war.

Jamaica Society Chair, Rev Dorothy Stewart said: “At a time when the city’s black communities particularly our older members are amongst those at highest risk from COVID-19 and are shielding, making these glorious colour images accessible to everyone both online and in print is a great way to tackle the pain of loneliness and isolation.”

For more information on Back to Life please click here