LANCASTER BLACK HISTORY GROUP

Three-years ago Black History in Lancaster was relatively unknown, spoken only within a few academic circles. Fast forward to the present day and Black History is interwoven into most Lancastrians conversations, with many even referencing Lancaster as a pioneering city; one which centralises the previously unheard stories of Black people across our geographical and historical landscape, through plaques of acknowledgement to portraits of Black Lancastrians – previously only historical footnotes – now hung permanently in our local museums.

Lela Harris, ‘Frances Elizabeth Johnson’ 2023

In 2022, after a successful bid to the Association of Independent Museums (AIM) New Stories New Audiences funding, part of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, artist Lela Harris was jointly commissioned by Judges Lodgings and Lancaster Black History group to visualize the lives of several Black people who once walked the streets of our district. The original idea of “imagined portraits” became a reality in March 2023 when Lela finally revealed her portraits at a special opening exhibition – opened by Turner Prize Winner, Lubaina Humid. 

The room was buzzing with the anticipation of finally having the chance to view “enslaved Africans” who lived in our city in the 18th century as people with an identity and not just a numerical offering tallied in a log book; a physical representation Lela has conjured from tiny notes in historical records. 

For centuries, grand portraits have been proudly displayed around the museums and halls of Lancaster, of men who prospered from the slave trade and the wider “slavery business” (Catherine Hall). Never before has that same attention or honour been afforded to those that toiled to create Lancaster’s C18 prosperity. Until today.

Those who have already viewed the new portraits will testify that Lela Harris has lived and breathed this project from conception to completion. The thoughtfulness, inclusivenes and extensive research she personally undertook to ensure that each person she depicted was “true” are clear to see from the deepness of Frances Elizabeth Johnson’s eyes. Her work exemplifies a deep respect both for the groups and people she collaborated with but most importantly for the portrait subjects to whom that dignity and respect was long overdue. 

We are proud of the role that Lancaster Black History Group – the community group we founded in June 2020, has played in this revolution. #BlackLivesMatter 

Geraldine Onek and Rebecca Joy Novell, Co-founders of Lancaster Black History Group, March 2020