Revisiting 1851

What would a group of local young adults in 2026 make of an event that happened in 1851?

The Great Exhibition was a hit event of the Victorian era, and was visited by roughly one third of the country. It showcased over 100,000 exhibits from all around the world, and its huge profits and far-reaching legacy were used to establish South Kensington as a cultural hub.

To mark its 175th anniversary, the Young Producers are revisiting this event through the lens of decolonisation, exploring the often-overlooked stories of people and communities from the global majority whose labour, knowledge and cultures shaped the Great Exhibition, even though their voices and experiences were not recognised in 1851.

Working with textile artist Chloé Rochefort and heritage researcher Christina Peake, the Young Producers have co-produced a creative installation to share and celebrate these stories, exploring topics such as otherness, exoticism and extraction.

Visitor information

This is a drop-in event best suited for young people (ages 13–25).

The NextGen Zone has step-free access.

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