| Description | Photographs mainly taken by Saeed Hassan in a personal capacity of scenes including events, music, community centres, elders, children, Half Moon Theatre productions and artistic still life views. Includes negatives, contact sheets and photograph prints.
Our depositor has identified key subjects and events, and captioned items using paper slips. Note 'C/D' stand for future potential Copying/Display.
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| AdminHistory | Saeed Hassan was born in Aden, Yemen in 1956, son of Hassan Mohamed Ahmed and Asha Ahmed [also known as Haweya]. His father was born in 1914, Hargeisa, in what was then British Somaliland and became a seaman in the merchant navy - a 'bosun', in charge of deck and officers. In 1957 Saeed's father came to Tower Hamlets and lived in Royal Mint Street near Cable Street.
In 1966 Saeed along with his two older brothers Othman and Ahmed came to the UK to join their parents. Saeed became as keen West Ham football supporter. He was also a boxer from the age of 11 until 23, attending St George's Boxing Club, Cable Street. Saeed was also Interested in art and photography, taking shots of local scenes, events and family and friends.
His brother Abdi reflects: 'He was well known in the East End. He always had time for people and especially helped Somalis coming during and after the civil war to help them integrate in the UK. Saeed also attended demonstrations at the Somali Embassy and was an organiser through fund raising and event support for the local East End band Al Amin. The band played traditional Somali music. They performed at Berner Club for discos and performances and Bow Festival. This helped support those had recently settled and those with musical talents to play'.
The family lived at Langdale Mansions, near Cable Street (until 1972); and then Bradbury House, Commercial Street (from 1972). In the early 1980s Saeed moved to his flat at Celia Blairman House, Folgate Street, Spitalfields.
He died in 2022. |