V&A East’s first major exhibition reveals how black music has shaped British and global culture over the last 125 years, reports Kumail Jaffer, Local Democracy Reporter

Sadiq Khan and Justine Simons at the V&A East Museum (credit GLA-Caroline Teo) — Sadiq Khan and Justine Simons at the Olympic Park (credit GLA-Caroline Teo)

The long-awaited V&A East Museum opening will finally happen this Saturday (18th) with Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan hailing the institution as an example of why “diversity is our strength”.

The five-storey building, nestled in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, was originally conceived in 2016 as part of the legacy plans following the London 2012 Olympics.

Khan said there has been a conscious effort from City Hall to ensure the East End was not abandoned after hosting millions of people during the iconic games.

“The Olympics were great – from the opening ceremony to the closing ceremony from the Olympics to the Paralympics – but it was like a spaceship came to the East End and then disappeared,” Khan told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

“The east-enders that I spoke to didn’t really see the long-term benefits of the Olympics.

“We’ve tried incredibly hard over the last ten years to make sure that the homes that are built here are for local residents, so they’re affordable, and that the jobs that are created here are accessible.

“We wanted to make sure the East Bank was not just for other Londoners and for visitors, but for those from the East End as well, so we’ve invested huge amounts – £614million – and the V&A themselves have received £98m.

“Why? Because I think this part of London deserves the best in terms of culture and education.

“What’s really great about this part of London now is there’s such a great offer, not just for east-enders, not only for those across London, those around the country, but those across the globe – whether it’s to watch Abba Voyage, to go to the V&A East Storehouse, whether to come to Sadler’s World East – they will now come here to the V&A East Museum. There’s so much to do in this part of London.”

V&A East Museum (credit Caroline Teo/GLA)

The V&A East’s first major exhibition, The Music is Black: A British Story, reveals how black British music has shaped British and global culture over the last 125 years.

Highlights include Stormzy’s 2019 Glastonbury vest designed by Banksy, Joan Armatrading’s childhood guitar, fashion worn by Seal, Sade + Skin, and a specially commissioned painting by Sir Frank Bowling.

Khan said that in an age of divisiveness, the showcase was an example of how people from all walks of life and backgrounds have made London “culturally richer”.

He added: “I’m really pleased that the first exhibition is The Music is Black because it’s worth reminding ourselves of the contribution made by successive waves of immigrants to our city and our country, whether it’s Dame Shirley Bassey or whether it is Sade, whether it’s Stormzy or whether it’s Simz, whether it’s Sugar Babes.

“And I could go on about the really good examples of the contribution made to our culture by Black Britons.

“There are some people, politicians and commentators, who seek to divide communities to turn white against black, to turn rich against poor, to turn London against the rest of the country.

“This is a reminder of our diversity being a strength. This is the reminder about it making us culturally richer rather than culturally poorer.”

Gus Casely-Hayford, V&A East’s director, said: “Over ten years in the making, we’re delighted to open V&A East Museum, a space created with and for our audiences, including young people and east Londoners, in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

“Sister site to V&A East Storehouse, it’s part of East Bank and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic legacy.”

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