Photo essay

In Brutal Presence: the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower disaster

A poignant selection of images from a long-term photographic project on social housing and the effects of gentrification on community life

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Grenfell Tower, west London. Photography by Nicola Muirhead
Photographer Nicola Muirhead’s images of Grenfell and its community show how the tragedy awakened Londoners to the issues surrounding social housing. Photography by Nicola Muirhead

As the Grenfell Tower inquiry draws to a close and its final report is published, we look back at the aftermath of the disaster through the eyes of photographer Nicola Muirhead, who has lived and worked in the area and knows the local community well. 

On 14 June 2017, 72 people lost their lives in a devastating fire exacerbated by cladding fitted on Grenfell Tower as part of an earlier refurbishment plan. At the time, Muirhead was pursuing a long-term project focusing on life in the tower blocks of North Kensington and the effect of gentrification on the surrounding area. 

The following selection of images highlights how the tragedy “awakened the London community to the issues surrounding social housing in the most violent way” and documents the resilience of local residents.     

On 14 June 2017, the morning of the fire, residents watched in disbelief as ambulances and fire engines raced to Grenfell Tower. Photography by Nicola Muirhead
On 14 June 2017, the morning of the fire, residents watched in disbelief as ambulances and fire engines raced to Grenfell Tower. Photography by Nicola Muirhead
Police officers rushed down Latimer Road to assist residents. Already, flowers were being laid on the roadside in the ash that fell from the tower. Photography by Nicola Muirhead
Police officers rushed down Latimer Road to assist residents. Already, flowers were being laid on the roadside in the ash that fell from the tower. Photography by Nicola Muirhead
At the local bus stop on Latimer Road, students looked at flyers of missing Grenfell Tower residents, many of whom would later be pronounced dead. Photography by Nicola Muirhead
At a bus stop on Latimer Road, students looked at flyers of missing Grenfell Tower residents, many of whom would later be pronounced dead. Photography by Nicola Muirhead
At the local bus stop on Latimer Road, students looked at flyers of missing Grenfell Tower residents, many of whom would later be pronounced dead. Photography by Nicola Muirhead
A memorial created by local residents in an alley between the Silchester Estate and the Westway in North Kensington. Photography by Nicola Muirhead
Beneath the Westway, community organisers used the walls as bulletin boards. The space later evolved into a memorial to those lost in the fire. Photography by Nicola Muirhead
Beneath the Westway, community organisers used the walls as bulletin boards. The space later evolved into a memorial to those lost in the fire. Photography by Nicola Muirhead
One year after the fire, residents from neighbouring estates took part in the Grenfell Silent March. Photography by Nicola Muirhead
One year after the fire, residents from neighbouring estates took part in the Grenfell Silent March. Photography by Nicola Muirhead
North Kensington residents, including survivors of the Grenfell fire, walked in a silent march of protest. Photography by Nicola Muirhead
North Kensington residents, including survivors of the Grenfell fire, walked in a silent march of protest. Photography by Nicola Muirhead
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