Post-Grad Mixer: Grenfell, by Steve McQueen

Post-Grad Community extended an invitation to alumni and current postgraduate students to attend Steve McQueen's Grenfell exhibition at the renowned Serpentine Gallery in the heart of Hyde Park. As a West London native, McQueen was deeply affected by the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in North Kensington, and this remarkable artwork serves as his response to the tragedy. The film serves as a dedication to the 72 individuals who lost their lives, as well as to the survivors and the bereaved.

McQueen's powerful documentary is a striking tribute to the Grenfell Tower fire victims. Through moving images of the tower and evocative silences, he creates an emotional and unforgettable experience for viewers. As these stark, unflinching images of harsh reality are revealed, a sense of profound sorrow and disbelief over this tragedy, coupled with deep compassion for the 72 deceased, their loved ones and all affected, overwhelms the audience. In the aftermath of the exhibition, the audience is left with a haunting reminder of a tragedy that should never have occurred. Despite the fire being extinguished, its injustice continues to smolder beneath a white facade, hidden in one of England's wealthiest boroughs.

As Judith Butler argues in ‘Frames of War: When is life grievable?’, open grieving can be a powerful political act (2016, p.46). McQueen's Grenfell exhibition serves as a poignant reminder of this, offering both the bereaved and the wider community an opportunity to face an unimaginable loss. By confronting us with the stark realities of the Grenfell Tower fire, McQueen's artwork brings into sharp focus the injustices in which we live. In doing so, it forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about our society and makes us remember those who should never be forgotten.

The powerful impact of the exhibition was palpable as the audience left the screening in a state of overwhelming emotion. After the film's conclusion, there was a profound silence that seemed to linger in the air as everyone processed what they had just witnessed. In that moment, it was clear that no one was prepared to simply get up and move on.

Fortunately, we had the perfect opportunity to reflect on the film's message during a short walk to a nearby café. Over coffee, students from various disciplines gathered together at a table to share their thoughts and impressions of the exhibition. This collective reflection allowed for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the artwork's significance, highlighting the importance of community discussion in processing challenging subjects.