Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait

I had only use got past the security guard who checked my handbag for weapons (instead he found my tampons), and I had a lump in my throat straight away. Projected onto the central hanging banner was Amy at the her most beautiful performing 'Love Is A Loosing game' at Dingle. I have watched this performance many times on youtube and every time I hardly breathe as I hang on her perfectly executed notes, one by one as if she is applying layers of paint to a glorious pre-Raphaelite  masterpiece. 

I am only at the entrance of this exhibit, and I soon realise that this is going to be a tough one to absorb without crying. Before I make it to the stairs to reach the top floor where the exhibit is housed, I am met with the dress that Amy wore on the "Tears Dry on Their own' video and at numerous gigs. Hanging on a tiny mannequin, the fragility emphasised by the belt hugging the waist, I suddenly understand how delicate and small the frame was of the woman whose voice would burst from her chest. The vision complete with a tiny pair of high heeled shoes stood side by side in a stance not too dissimilar to that of a young sparrow. The dress is by Arrogant Cat. I always wanted an Arrogant Cat dress when I was younger but I felt my small bosom did not do them justice when trying them on in a tiny shop on Kings Road back in 2001. Amy wore this dress well, she looked fantastic in it. 

I continue upstairs to the main exhibit. A top 20 playlist is playing on loop on the speakers, a list compiled by Amy when she was a stage school. She had a great ear for music. The list had many obvious choices that you would expect Amy to include, but the one that made me laugh was 'Brick' by Ben Folds Five. I just never would have guessed. I loved Ben Folds Five in the 90's. They were fun and cheeky, just like Amy's bright persona. 

There is a fantastic collection of photographs at this exhibit. The one that got me choking on my tears again, was one of Amy as a child climbing the ancient roman walls of Holy Island in Northumberland. As a Geordie myself, and a great lover of Holy Island, I am so pleased that her family ventured far up enough north to show her the natural beauty of Northumberland. Not that the journey of 343 miles is particularly great, but more often than not, people will journey south for their holidays. 

There are many photos at this exhibit of her nan Cynthia, whom we all know was a great influence on Amy's life. Cynthia looks beautiful in all the photos. There suitcase full of old photos that we are told she dipped in and out of in the days leading to her death. She must have spent a lot of time reminiscing on the past, remembering the days when she was just a loving sister and a noisy daughter, when she was free to roam the streets without the paps strobe light show blinding her path.

This exhibit is not sensationalist, and is a humble collective put together by her brother Alex, to give us a glimpse into her life as an ordinary Jewish Londener growing up within loving family. It is subtle and poignant and I am so glad that I came to visit. I am sure the lump in my throat will begin to reside soon.