Far from the Start, Vinyl, 2024

Far from the Start is a newly commissioned sound work by Jay Bernard. Stemming from a combination of research and personal experience, Bernard has responded to the Clapham South Deep Level Shelter as a point of questioning and diffusion in contrast to the narrative unity that surrounds the HMT Empire Windrush in 1948. Bernard’s work has been developed over a series of visits to the shelter, to archives including the National Archives and Black Cultural Archives, and Tilbury Docks in Essex, where the HMT Windrush arrived. The 45-minute sound installation, which was partially recorded within these historic sites, incorporates the voice, gongs, bells, a euphonium, drums, an authentic air raid siren, as well as the constant roar of the London underground. Two of the movements, originally exhibited at Studio Voltaire as part of Unearthed: Collective Histories, have been pressed as a limited edition vinyl. Credits: Words, composition and voice: Jay Bernard Sound design, instrumentals and voice: Femi Oriogun-Williams Mix and mastering: Stefan Smith and Swift Mastering Vinyl: Press On Vinyl