Soca DJ and producer (Ché Leonard) is one of several people featured in Citizen UK: Croydon’s Caribbean Influencers. The exhibition, produced in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery, explores the stories of Croydon residents who have shaped the borough through their Caribbean roots but are often uncredited or under-represented. It creatively tells these inspiring stories using archive material, spoken word by Croydon Poet Laureate Shaniqua Benjamin and portraits by Artist Kyam (Camara Pinnock), giving a snapshot of the local histories uncovered.
With great pride, Ché told Soca News: “I’m extremely delighted to have been selected and it is such an honour to be featured among other exceptional individuals of Caribbean heritage who have all made significant cultural contributions to Britain.
“It’s humbling that my personal journey over three decades has been captured in a full-length interview, visual installation and short poem. I’ve been truly proud to showcase my country of birth, Trinidad & Tobago, and the wider Caribbean. Even more exciting is the news that my recording will be shown at the National Portrait Gallery and housed permanently in their national archives. That’s a big deal for a little boy from San Fernando, Trinidad!
“I am very thankful to have been selected for this recognition and wish to dedicate it to my parents, Winston and Janice Leonard (both deceased), who I know are always watching over me. May they continue to sleep in eternal peace.”
This free exhibition is at the Atrium, Croydon Museum 11.00am–4.00pm Wednesdays and Fridays, until 18 June. For more information visit culturecroydon.com.
