People in the Frame

For our latest cafe commission, Nottingham-based photographer Graham Lester George has created People in the Frame in response to the themes in our main temporary exhibition, Lives in Motion: Stories of migration from the 11th century to the present day.

‘When I was commissioned to make these panels… my first impulse was to create portraits of Nottingham’s “Great and the Good” who have moved to the UK from elsewhere and made notable contributions to our culture and society.

But then I had a second impulse which was to celebrate the rich diversity of people (who originate from elsewhere, or whose heritage is not British) and who largely go unsung, but who contribute so much to our culture, lives and well-being.
I think this is especially important now, when the legacy media and our politicians are fixated — in a negative way — on immigration. Let’s celebrate, not denigrate our co-inhabitants of this earth who have come to this country and given so much.

PS – I also wanted it to be fun.’
Graham Lester George, 2025