Ticketed

Essential Information

Type
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

Mistress Babbington character actor at the Queen's House
Family fun

Character Actors at the Queen's House

Meet historical characters connected to the Queen's House and take part in exciting performances
Sundays | 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm
Free
Queen's House
Painting of Queen Amina holding a staff against a backdrop of colourful triangles
Events and festivals | Women's History Month

Women's History Month 2025

Celebrate the knowledge and achievements of pioneering women
Throughout March 2025
Free Entry
National Maritime Museum
Emma
Events and festivals | Women's History Month

Women's History Month at the Queen's House

Discover about ordinary women ahead of their time, powerful queens and brilliant female artists on our series of tours and talks
Throughout March | See below for details
Free Entry
Queen's House
Pieter Goos Atlas CBR.png
Talks and tours | Salons in the Queen's House

Salons in the Queen's House: Pieter Goos’s ‘Water World’

In this free lunchtime talk, hear Curator Tim May talk about the hidden stories behind the making of the atlas, first published in 1666, now on display in the Queen’s House
Wednesday 2 April 2025 | 1pm - 1.30pm
Free
Queen's House
Children fill out an activity sheet during a visit to the Queen's House in Greenwich. They are sat on the floor, at the centre of an intricate black and white marble pattern
Family fun

Easter activities at the Queen's House

Storytelling and craft workshops are just some of the springtime events taking place at the Queen's House
6 – 20 April 2025 | 11am-4pm
Free | Drop-in
Queen's House
An Indian miniature of Zeenat Mahal (1823–1886), wife and favourite of the King of Delhi and last Mughal Emperor.jpg
Talks and tours | Salons in the Queen's House

Salons in the Queen's House: Miniatures from Mughal India to Jamaica

In this free lunchtime talk, hear art historian Damiët Schneeweisz talk about a portrait miniature of Zeenat Mahal, on display at the Queen’s House
Wednesday 9 April 2025 | 1pm - 1.30pm
Free
Queen's House
Pearl diver coming up for air, Alan Villiers.jpg
Talks and tours | Salons in the Queen's House

Salons in the Queen's House: Diving into the Past

In this free lunchtime talk, hear researcher Taibah Al-Fagih talk about the legacy of pearl diving in the Arabian Gulf through Adam Villiers’ photography
Wednesday 16 April 2025 | 1pm - 1.30pm
Free
Queen's House
Damian Le Bas
Talks and tours | Member events

The Drowned Places

Join us for an evening with prize-winning author, filmmaker and artist Damian Le Bas to celebrate the publication of his second book, The Drowned Places.
Thursday 17 April 2025 l 6.30pm
Free | Members only
Queen's House
Talks and tours | Member events

Snow Widows

Hear about the untold story of Scott's fatal Antarctic expedition through the eyes of the women they left behind
Thursday 24 April 2025 l 6.30pm-7.30pm
Free | Members only
Queen's House

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