Online photographic exhibition and community postcard project celebrates the diversity of residents of Lancaster West, one of London’s most vibrant residential estates.

Today, the Lancaster West Residents’ Association (LWRA) launches “Postcard Portraits”, an online exhibition of the Lanc West Portrait Project at www.lancwest.com/portraits. The exhibition showcases photographic portraits and stories from the Lancaster West Estate (W11) community, shot by photojournalist Fiona Campbell in March 2021 during London’s third lockdown.

The pandemic has left many people feeling isolated and lonely, missing family and friends as well as face-to-face community events. This project was created as a response to these issues and following conversations with local residents. The idea of turning professional portraits into postcards was seen as a way of reminding individuals of their own identity within the wider community, giving them a personal memento to keep along with copies to share with friends and family. It also provided an opportunity for participants to reconnect with others in a meaningful way, and to build new relationships which will support their mental health and wellbeing longer term.

47 residents, friends as well as some of the estate’s cats and dogs took part in a socially distanced photoshoot, sharing memories and life stories for this online exhibition. Several have lived on the estate all of their lives, while others joined the community from places as far as Colombia, St. Lucia and Pakistan. Personalities are brought to life through the photographs, featuring residents in their favourite outfits and with treasured possessions. The diversity of the estate is clear from the vibrant mix of backgrounds, occupations and ages – ranging from 20 to 92 years old.

Abbas Dadou, LWRA Chair, resident and project participant says: “We’re so pleased to celebrate our residents with this exhibition. After a difficult year it’s more important than ever to find ways to bring people together safely, see friendly faces and connect with each other. Loneliness and mental health are two issues that really matter to the LWRA and we wanted to inspire hope for brighter days ahead.”

Fiona Campbell, project photojournalist says: “When we are isolated from others, we can lose a sense of ourselves. This project helped give people a renewed sense of self: of being an individual and being part of a community. Our conversations could have gone on for days. People were all so different, yet everyone loved telling me about what was important to them, and what made them.”

The Lanc West Portrait Project was funded by a microgrant from the National Lottery and The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport’s Local Connections Fund. Following the positive community response to the project, the LWRA are now in the process of planning an in-person exhibition and event for summer 2021 to continue the legacy and impact of the project.