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Location
Date and times Monday 26 September 2022 | 7pm-8.30pm
Prices Adult: £15, £10 or £5 (includes admission with donation)

Created by artist Alberta Whittle, The Axe Forgets, But The Tree Remembers features the stories of the Windrush generation and their descendants.  

Weaving together the experiences of her own family, stories sourced from Hackney Archives and conversation with the borough’s Windrush residents, Whittle's film highlights the animosity experienced by those who first migrated from the Caribbean to the UK. 

It also explores the lasting effects of hostile immigration policy, anti-blackness and racism felt by their descendants today. 

Join us at the Queen’s House for a special screening of the film, which includes a talk between Alberta Whittle and Dr Neal Shasore, Head of School and Chief Executive Officer at The London Architecture School. The event will include an audience Q&A. 

About the artist 

Alberta Whittle is an artist, researcher and curator who uses self-compassion and collective care to interrogate anti-blackness, colonialism and migration.  

Whittle is currently representing Scotland at the 2022 Venice Art Biennale with the acclaimed exhibition deep dive (pause) uncoiling memory. She is the recipient of a Turner Bursary, the Frieze Artist Award and a Henry Moore Foundation Artist Award.  

The Axe Forgets, But The Tree Remembers is one of the works commissioned as part of the Hackney Windrush Public Programme, curated by Create London in partnership with Hackney Council and funded by the Freelands Foundation.  

About Create London

Create London, who commissioned Alberta Whittle's film 'The Axe Forgets, But The Tree Remembers' commissions bold, radical and socially-engaged art and architecture that is woven into the fabric of everyday life. Sign up to their mailing list here .

What’s on

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Sundays | 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm
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Tickets from £0-£40
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Friday 16 October 2026 | 7.30pm-8.30pm
Adult: £16, Adult Members and Patrons: £14.40, Child: £8, Child Members: £7.20, Students: £10
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In conversation with Richard Wright: celebrating 10 years of the Great Hall ceiling

Hear first-hand about the ideas, craftsmanship, and legacy behind this spectacular ceiling installation
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Adult £25 | Students £22.50
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Find fun for all the family at the Queen's House this October half term
25 October – 1 November 2026 | See page for times
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Talks and tours | Museum Lates

Dark history and haunted tours of the Queen's House

Join us (if you dare) for an after-hours tour of the Queen's House. Who knows what you might encounter...
Friday 30 October and Sunday 1 November 2026 | 5.30-7pm and 7.30-9pm
Adult: £25 | Members: £22.50
Queen's House
Workshops

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Come along to our afternoon of craft and writing workshops in the Queen's House, exploring how law shapes refugee boat journeys
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Free Entry
Queen's House
Experiences | Christmas

Santa’s Grotto at the Queen’s House

Meet Santa and travel through a magical wonderland with the Snow Queen at the Queen's House this Christmas
Saturday 14 November - Thursday 24 December 2026
Early bird: £27 per person | General tickets: £30 | Members: £25 | Under 1s: Free
Queen's House
Experiences | Christmas

Santa's Grotto at the Queen's House relaxed sessions

Meet Santa and travel through a magical wonderland in these quieter sessions, ideal for neurodivergent and SEND visitors. Pre-booking recommended
Sunday 15 November 2.45pm | Saturday 28 November 11.15am (SOLD OUT) | Friday 4 December 5.15pm (SOLD OUT) | Thursday 10 December 5.15pm (SOLD OUT)
Child and an accompanying adult: £30 | Additional adult or child: £30 | Family Member child and accompanying adult: £27 | Additional adult or child Family Member: £27 | (+£3 booking fee per transaction)
Queen's House

Banner image: The Axe Forgets, But The Tree Remembers, featuring Zinzi Minott; image courtesy Alberta Whittle, 2022.