2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the arrival of MV Empire Windrush to the UK on 22nd June 1948. We were really pleased to be asked to work on the design of a set of eight stamps released by Royal Mail to celebrate the influence and contribution of the Windrush generation to the UK.
Originally envisaged as a set of images by the same artist, it soon became clear that the rich variety of influences introduced by such a vibrant generation would be better served through the commission of a number of different image makers
Sharing the project with our friends at Supple Studio we worked on four
stamps each and commissioned five Black British artists, all with a Caribbean heritage, to depict one of eight cultural influences, from sport to music, food to politics – three of the artists designed two stamps each. The artists were selected not just because of their obvious talent but also because they had a family connection to the Windrush generation.
Bokiba
Artist
When I received the initial email from The Chase, asking if I’d be interested in the commission, I honestly thought it was a poor excuse for a joke. Realising it wasn’t, I then got very emotional. My parents travelled to England from the Caribbean in the early sixties. It wasn’t easy for them as finding accommodation and decent paying jobs were few and far between. My mum looked after four children by herself. At times, holding down three jobs (including working for the Post Office catering section) to ensure that we had everything that we needed, and more.
This commission is a nod to my generation, my parents generation and to my children. It’s a ‘thank you’ to all the Commonwealth people that were invited to come to England to help rebuild the country after the war. It’s validation that the art I’m producing is pretty darn good and that people want to see more. So big thanks to Royal Mail and to The Chase. It’s been an absolute pleasure.”
Kareen Cox
Artist
