The new exhibition at Goldsmiths on the New Cross Fire 1981 differs from previous events in that it has been put together by survivors, relatives and others directly affected by the tragic events which occurred just a few hundred metres down the road.
The exhibition includes poems, reflections, documents and personal artefacts relating to the fire and the subsequent movement of outrage at the racist response to it. It is very moving - a stark reminder of some of the individual lives cut short on 18 January 1981. For instance it includes roller skates belonging to Yvonne Ruddock, whose 16th birthday was being celebrated at the party (at the request of relatives this section of the exhibition is not to be photographed).
The exhibition continues until 27th May 2023, admission is free. To find it go into main building at Goldsmiths - which is open to the public - and follow corridor round to the right. Towards the back of the building you will see the exhibition space on your left.
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| A benefit concert for the victims held at Lewisham Concert Hall in May 1981, headlined by Sugar Minott. |
I lived a few miles away at the time and remember this vividly. The exhibition looks incredibly moving and completely relevant to the racist policing, institutional racism and tabloid racism going on today. Solidarity ✊🏾✊🏿✊🏽
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