Cephas Williams – a campaigner, photographer and speaker has partnered with Landsec to showcase Portrait of Black Britain, a project to create the largest collection of photographic portraits of Black people living in the UK.
Cephas Williams has installed over 200 portraits of Black Britons in Bluewater shopping centre spefically in the lower rose gallery, the instalment is on display to members of the public at Bluewater, Kent, from Monday 1 November until Sunday 14 November 2021.
Earlier this year Mr Williams who had gone shopping in Bluewater with his family was assaulted and accused of theft by House of Fraser security. He had used his social media platforms to show the world footage of how he was treated that day. He has now turned that negative situation into such a positive moment. The exhibition being in Bluewater is very ‘symbolic’ to the black community as Kent has lack of diversity.
Growing up Cephas Williams was introduced to see a lot of black people become footballers or entertainers but he wishes to “re-introduce our reality and contribution to the wider society”. There are portraits of lawyers, teachers, engineers, therapists and many other talented people.
Consultant, Osaro Otabo who is honoured to be a part of the #PortraitofBlackBritain believes “ seeing a collection different black faces and names will mean so much to many people”.
Portrait of Black Britain centralises Black-led representation on what it means to be black in the UK right now. It is a reminder of the beauty in identity and diversity, the fact that the black community is not a monolith. And it is a powerful affirmation that Black Lives Matter: not just in the news stories about trauma or tragedy during Black History Month –but every day.
Black representation and leadership is one of the most important ways of creating a much-needed shift in societal understanding of the impact of inequalities, catalysing social change and frontlining cultural humility and elevation.
Many people from all across England to visit the exhibition and many visitors wish to see more of his work displayed.
Lorraine Price who is a visitor of the exhibition has described it as “ Black Excellence” she strongly believes that “safe spaces should be created for the black community”.
Cephas is also the founder of Black British Network which works to dismantle systemic racism and improve the economic prospects of black people living in the UK. He wishes to grow the collection to 1,000 portraits and display it in many different locations around the UK.
