Romani Culture Shines at London Museum Docklands Exhibition

A new art exhibition at London Museum Docklands highlights the creativity and resilience of Britain's Romani communities. Titled By Appointment Only, it brings together three widely recognized Romani artists to challenge stereotypes and deepen public understanding.

Romani people have been documented in Britain since the early 16th century. In recent decades, discriminatory signs once common in pubs and eateries gave way to the phrase “Travellers by appointment only,” inspiring the exhibit's name.

Co-curator Corrina Eastwood describes the project as a deeply personal artistic journey, aimed at honoring self, family, community, and culture. She explains that weaving archival material with contemporary art helps tell a shared history.

Eastwood's work, Sugar Coated, contemplates heritage and memory, incorporating 3D-printed casts of her late father's hands to connect past and present.

Another work, Tap Your Heels Together Three Times, by Delaine Le Bas, addresses questions of belonging, gender, and modern life, drawn from family history and Romani trades such as rag-and-bone dealing—collecting and reselling discarded items.

South-east London artist Dan Turner investigates how Romani life intersects with mainstream British culture, including the craft traditions once sold directly to households door-to-door.

Alongside the works, the exhibition includes a Historic England film, Searching for Romani Gypsy Heritage, created by award-winning filmmaker John-Henry Phillips. The documentary traces Romani histories from about 500 AD to 2022.

The Reflections Room, located on the museum's second floor, is free to visit with the rest of the museum. Eastwood calls the space a “beautifully human” setting for acknowledging important, often unspoken histories.

Expert commentary

Dr. Maya Singh, a cultural historian, notes that the show reframes Romani life by weaving personal memory with archival material. Through hands-on art and storytelling, it invites visitors to engage with Romani histories more openly.

Overview

The By Appointment Only exhibition at London Museum Docklands brings together three British Romani artists to challenge stereotypes, share memory and culture, and connect with visitors through film and a reflective space. The Reflections Room is free, making the experience accessible for learners and curious visitors alike.

The display also emphasizes how personal histories can illuminate broader cultural narratives, inviting dialogue about belonging and identity within modern Britain.

Key insight: The exhibition blends personal history, traditional craft, and contemporary art to present a richer, living picture of Romani life in Britain. Source