A Generation Removed
2024-ongoing.
Situated on Woodbridge Road, The Ipswich Caribbean Association (ICA) was a non-profit organisation led by individuals in the black community. Before its closure in 2012, it played an important role in providing a safe space for Suffolk’s Caribbean community. Based on oral testimonies, my pictures chart the narrative and legacy of the ICA.
As a mixed-heritage individual, my connection to the people and their stories adds authenticity to the storytelling, which resonates with me today as I, too, navigate identity and belonging in the small town of Ipswich.
My parents married in 2001 when I was not even a year old. Their wedding ceremony took place in the Ipswich Caribbean Association’s function room, marking the beginning of my relationship with the ICA. When I was in primary school, my mother often left me and my sister at the club in the care of my grandmother to go to work.
The Caribbean Club was not just a place my family visited but an essential part of our connection with our heritage and culture. My grandmother was essential in running the ICA; she held the position of chairperson at various points. It was a place where they celebrated, gathered, and shared stories.
This work explores my familial history, the impact of migration, and the importance of preserving cultural heritage. Through portraits and archival materials, it pays tribute to the ICA’s legacy.
‘A Generation Removed’ is my exploration of the ICA and a response to part of my identity.
