Docklands museum's art explores Romani identity

Art by Delaine Le Bas at the Reflections Room

A new exhibition honouring the creativity, craft and resilience of Britain's Romani communities has opened at London Museum Docklands in West India Quay.

The display, titled By Appointment Only, showcases three British Romani artists and their pieces which aim to challenge stereotypes and foster better understanding and connection.

Romani communities were first recorded in Britain in the early 1500s, but as recently as the 1990s it was still common to see signs in pubs and restaurants reading: "No travellers or gypsies allowed."

This phrase later evolved into "Travellers by appointment only", which gives the art exhibition its title.

Artist and co-founder of the project Corrina Eastwood in her studio

Co-curator and artist Corrina Eastwood described working on the project as a "really important personal and professional journey".

She said: "The desire to adequately honour self, family, community and culture has been a moving and at times overwhelming experience.

"Yet we have been able to address this by weaving together shared histories, gathered through traditional archiving and an art-based approach."

Ms Eastwood's piece, titled Sugar Coated, reflects on her heritage and memories of her late father, incorporating 3D-printed casts of his hands.

Another piece, Tap Your Heels Together Three Times, by Delaine Le Bas, explores belonging, gender and modernity.

Ms Le Bas draws on her family history and Romani traditions such as rag-and-bone dealing - where dealers collected unwanted household items like rags, bones and scrap metal to sell for recycling.

Artist Dan Turner at his studio

South-east London artist Dan Turner examines the relationship between Romani and mainstream British culture in his work, including traditional Romani crafts once sold door to door.

Alongside the art pieces, the display includes a Historic England film titled Searching for Romani Gypsy Heritage, created by award-winning filmmaker John-Henry Phillips.

The film traces the history of Romani communities from 500AD up to 2022.

The Reflections Room opened in 2024

The Reflections Room is located on the second floor of the London Museum Docklands and is free to visit along with the rest of the museum.

Ms Eastwood described the space as a "beautifully human alternative space for the acknowledgment of important, often unspoken histories".