A new exhibition of children’s artwork has opened at the Stephen Lawrence Gallery, University of Greenwich.
The Stephen Lawrence Research Centre (SLRC), based at De Montfort University, invited schools and children to submit their artwork to be shown in the exhibition.
The SLRC challenged the children and young people to imagine what hopeful futures might like look like for them. With hundreds of works submitted, the exhibition is both a moving commemoration of Stephen’s legacy and an optimistic vision for the future from the next generation.
The exhibition includes more than 100 works by children from 7 to 18 years old from across the UK, and, after the exhibition, the work will be kept alongside the Stephen Lawrence Archive at DMU.
The opening times are Tuesday to Friday: 11 am – 5 pm, Saturday: 11 am – 5 pm at the Stephen Lawrence Gallery, University of Greenwich, 10 Stockwell Street, London, SE10 9BD.
On Thursday 8 June, a special event was held for school children to visit the exhibition, hear from guest speakers and participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Opening the speeches was Prof Louise Owusu-Kwarteng, Associate Dean of Student Success and Vanessa Lemm, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean for the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Jessica Neal, CEO of Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation was also present along with Dr Lisa Palmer, Director of the SLRC, and Dr Yusuf Bakkali, a Research Fellow at the SLRC
The University of Greenwich has a longstanding partnership with the Stephen Lawrence Foundation and Baroness Lawrence. The theme of Hopeful Futures is inspired by the work of Stephen’s mother, Baroness Doreen Lawrence and her family, to promote a hopeful and fairer society for all. Wider themes included love, care, change, friendship and family.
Jessica Neil said:
“Stephen Lawrence has the power to bring people together to fight for change. Children from up and down the country are remembering Stephen and his legacy through this exhibition and looking to a more hopeful future in his memory.”
Professor Lemm said:
“It is critical we reflect on the past with a view to building new futures. The imagination and creativity we see here has a role to play and it resonates with the faculty and what this university stands for.
“Inclusive communities and environments generate societal change.”
Dr Lisa Palmer said:
“With the 30th anniversary of Stephen’s tragic murder we wanted to emphasise his legacy and this exhibition is a way of engaging children in what is a difficult and troubling subject, but at the same time is an opportunity to look to a better future.”
Kiaser Simpson was one of the children who contributed to the exhibition. The 13-year-old, who created his own superhero called the Lightning King, said:
“I love everyone’s work and I am proud of everyone who did such a great job and put their heart and soul into this.
“Stephen rest in peace and we will think about you every day. The future looks bright and let’s keep making it brighter”
In a statement Baroness Lawrence said:
“The Hopeful Futures Creative Challenge invites young people to imagine a future in which discrimination does not exist. Imagination is one of the most powerful tools we can use to inspire meaningful societal change”
Pictured: Prof Lemm, Jess Neal, Dr Palmer, Kiaser and his cousin Eli
