Black British History Quilt
2020 and extended with additional names, 2024
Different fabrics including cotton, silk, polyester, and sateen. 1740 x 11740mm
Different fabrics including cotton, silk, polyester, and sateen. 1740 x 11740mm
︎ Currently on display at The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge as part of the exhibition Rise Up: Resistance, Revolution, Aboliton ︎
Black people have historically made significant contributions to British society; however, these contributions have been left unrecognised. Upon engaging with various archival and library materials whilst volunteering at the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton, Jahnavi noticed frequent silent gaps in the timeline of the Black presence in Britain.
Whilst experimenting with different creative ways to showcase Black British history, Jahnavi was introduced to the vibrant and dynamic world of quilting. She adapted this rich cultural technique to highlight the historic presence of Black people in Britain between the 17th and 19th centuries. Jahnavi also hopes to dismantle the common misconception that Black people first arrived in Britain during the late 1940s wave of immigration known as the ‘Windrush Period’.
In addition to the quilt, Jahnavi created an accompanying online directory where audiences can discover the stories of the people featured on the quilt as well as submit anybody else who they feel deserves recognition (see Quilt Directory below).
The edges of the quilt remain raw as it is a ‘living object’ as this history remains incomplete — there are undoubtably many people that are yet to be discovered and added.
Jahnavi continues to add to the quilt as she discovers more people. Originally measuring 5 metres at the time of it’s initial creation in 2020, the quilt now measures just over 11 metres and features the names of 34 people.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Whilst experimenting with different creative ways to showcase Black British history, Jahnavi was introduced to the vibrant and dynamic world of quilting. She adapted this rich cultural technique to highlight the historic presence of Black people in Britain between the 17th and 19th centuries. Jahnavi also hopes to dismantle the common misconception that Black people first arrived in Britain during the late 1940s wave of immigration known as the ‘Windrush Period’.
In addition to the quilt, Jahnavi created an accompanying online directory where audiences can discover the stories of the people featured on the quilt as well as submit anybody else who they feel deserves recognition (see Quilt Directory below).
The edges of the quilt remain raw as it is a ‘living object’ as this history remains incomplete — there are undoubtably many people that are yet to be discovered and added.
Jahnavi continues to add to the quilt as she discovers more people. Originally measuring 5 metres at the time of it’s initial creation in 2020, the quilt now measures just over 11 metres and features the names of 34 people.
Quilt Directory and Submissions
Find out about the people featured on the quilt and submit new names.
Find out about the people featured on the quilt and submit new names.
© 2025 Jahnavi Inniss