Denise Le-Gros

The Sailor and The Ballet Dancer; Mum and Dad

'Dad served in the Royal Navy during WW2 and met mum shortly after. He carried mum’s photo in his wallet as he continued to travel around the world. She was a ballet dancer, and also travelled, so their meeting up was always a special time. Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation Day was celebrated with a street party, family and friends getting together and my mum and dad reuniting. I was born in St Mary Abbots hospital, Kensington, a few weeks premature, and eight months after the Coronation Day. Strangely enough, I was born on the 6th February –the same day that two years earlier the Queen ascended to the throne.

My work responds to the Platinum Jubilee because even though my parents are gone, it is still a day that means a lot to me. It’s a big part of my being, it’s a big part of what makes Britain, it’s the celebration that makes us remember times that the Queen impacted on our lives. She has given us moments in our lives that we cherish, and my work is a moment that, although I wasn’t there to see it, I cherish.'

Denise is a member of Open Age in Kensington and goes to art class there each Monday. She describes Kensington as being 'in her family history from her grandmother's generation'. Denise has lived in Kensington all her married life and now lives off Portobello Road where she does her vegetable shopping on weekends. She is 'very proud to live in such a vibrant and diverse society... It has brought wide social education to our lives and the opportunity to meet and mix with people from all backgrounds.'