The Voices of Grangetown exhibition is changing perceptions—and Zain Haq is the young curator making it happen.
Andrew Michael has been cutting hair in Grangetown for 35 years. His barbershop, a small but bustling space on Clare Road, is more than just a place for trims and shaves—it’s a sanctuary, a living archive of a community’s joys, sorrows, and transformations. The shop tells stories of first haircuts, graduation days, and moments of quiet vulnerability. For Andrew, every snip of the scissors carries the weight of memory, every conversation a thread in the fabric of Grangetown’s history.
Until recently, his story was one of many that went untold, his quiet dedication overshadowed by the louder narratives of Grangetown. But for 20-year-old Zain Haq, it’s hidden stories like Andrew’s that make Grangetown what it is – a place where everyday lives weave together in a rich tapestry of community. Through the Voices of Grangetown exhibition, a new exhibition at the Museum of Cardiff, Zain Haq and other young voices are ensuring the hidden stories of Grangetown are heard, celebrated, and preserved for generations to come. For Zain, the project is more than just an exhibition—it’s a mission to rewrite the narrative of a place often misunderstood.
“I walk past different parts of Grangetown now and see them in a more vivid light than I would have previously. If you go looking anywhere in Grangetown, you’ll find a lot of hidden stories. Andrew’s just one example. It was kind of like uncovering a hidden gem. From outside his shop looks bland, but within there’s lots of stories. For example, I didn’t know he cut famous people’s hair just around the corner, or that he competed [in barber competitions] for Wales.”
The Voices of Grangetown project has become a labor of love for Zain and his team. Over 18 months, they interviewed more than 20 people whose stories would’ve otherwise gone unheard. In the process, they collated oral histories, photographs, and artifacts that paint a picture of a community often overlooked.
“It’s a sense of giving back, if I’m really honest,” Zain says. “Being able to preserve the current stage of Grangetown for other people in the future to see and maybe be like, ‘Oh, wow, the pavilion started like this,’ or ‘Shops used to be like this.’”
The exhibition is more than just a historical record; it’s a celebration of Grangetown’s diversity and resilience. With 39 languages spoken in the area, it’s one of the most linguistically diverse communities in Wales. “The amount of languages spoken was quite surprising. It’s probably one of the most multilingual areas in Wales. You can celebrate anyone and everyone being here. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you are—it feels like a safe place.”
This sense of inclusivity is woven into the fabric of Grangetown. From English classes for newcomers to repair cafes where volunteers fix everything from laptops to toasters, the community is built on a spirit of generosity.
“The community in Grangetown right now is very giving,” said Zain. “There’s a repair cafe in the pavilion where people volunteer their free time to help others. I had some laptops that needed fixing, and a volunteer named Richard, who works in IT, managed to fix them for me right there and then.”
“I’ve grown up seeing this place transform from a bowling pavilion to a community center. If I had to pick a favorite place in Grangetown, it would be Grange Pavilion.” Once a disused bowls pavilion, local residents, including Zain’s father, came together to develop the tired space into a thriving local coffee shop, and later a multi-functional community space, where people of all ages, genders, or nationalities can come together to learn, share, and connect. “From its inception, it became more and more of the heart of Grangetown.”
The project hasn’t been without its challenges. Coordinating interviews around people’s schedules and navigating the intricacies of recording oral histories required patience and dedication. “Time was easily the hardest part. We had bi-weekly meetings to keep up to date on best practices, but fitting interviews into people’s schedules was tough. It was a lot of work, but it was worth it for Grangetown.”
The result is an exhibition that not only preserves Grangetown’s past but also inspires its future. Zain hopes the project will encourage more young people to get involved in their communities.
“I think community work is a cornerstone. Not everyone has time to give, but this was just two hours a week. Volunteering is the way to go. It’s about giving back and making sure the community thrives.”
As for what’s next, Zain is already looking ahead. He’s exploring opportunities to continue working in the museum sector, and is even applying for an ‘Arts and Business Cymru’ award on behalf of the pavilion.
“I wouldn’t want this to end,” he says. “There are always opportunities popping up. This started as a small museum project and turned into something much bigger. I’m absolutely chuffed about it.”
“I’d like to thank Caroline, Alison, and the people at the museum for helping us through this project,” he says. “They’ve been the real cornerstone. Without them, we probably wouldn’t have got it done. And to the other members of the team – we all worked exceptionally hard.”
Through his work, Zain Haq is proving that Grangetown isn’t just a place on a map—it’s a community with a story worth telling. And he’s the one making sure it’s heard.
Zain and his team’s exhibit is available to view in the Museum of Cardiff, until March 31st (2025). See more at: https://cardiffmuseum.com/whatson/voices-of-grangetown/