Black Art exhibitions to look out for in 2021(Online)

Lockdown has been prolonged and exhausting, and I have not been able to get myself into an art gallery or exhibition. But that does not mean they are not happening. I recently started looking for new galleries to go to once lockdown ends and I came across some new art galleries and online exhibitions in London. So, I thought I would share it with you. (Check images for exhibition links)

Jack Bell Gallery which opened in 2010, which is located in St. James and currently has another Ajarb Bernard Ategwa exhibition called ‘Afro Sister’. This is the sixth solo exhibitions for the gallery. He shows self-representation of the locals in Cameroon in the 21st century. “Both style and composition in these images recall African black and white studio photography from the post-independence era. The use of framing and strong defined identities references more contemporary influences from social media platforms. In stark contrast to the artist's hardline execution, he introduces a new painterly water colour element which holds back the portrait's full disclosure.” (John Bell Gallery). Atewga comes from the largest city in Cameroon and all of his exhibitions are inspired pieces from Cameroon and things he sees every day, I love bright colours and the vibrant vibe it has, this uplifts my mood, and I would recommend this exhibition. This exhibition is from the 19th January to 19th February.

Ajarb Bernard Ategwa, Me and My Best Friend, 2020. Elegance Lady(Right Photo),2020

The Tate Modern will hold an exhibition between November 2021 - May 2022, with Lubaina Himid’s latest work. Himid has influences of theatre aspects, this exhibition will make you feel as though you are at the front and center of a stage. Lubaina’s work has been included at the Tate for many years and even has a small ‘about me’ page on the Tate website. Her latest work for the exhibition goes with her usual theme of social engagement. She has contributed to the British Black Art movement in the 1980’s and this opened the floor for more black expressions and woman’s creativity. She was awarded the Turner Prize in 2017 and CBE for her contribution to art in 2018. She made paintings such as Man in the shirt Drawer from 2017- 2018 and her Drowned Orchard: Secret Boatyard from 2014. Man in the Shirt Drawer is a painting, “inside the lower panel of an antique wooden shirt drawer with gold handles. The unidentified subject is of African descent and wears short cropped black hair, a pale blue blazer and an orange undershirt. Although the title refers to the figure as a ‘Man’, the depiction appears to present an androgynous figure: one can detect pale pink lipstick as well as a bright yellow eyeshadow whose hue matches the background colour. Set against this bright yellow background, the subject’s colourful outfit appears aligned with contemporary fashion and situates the scene in recent history. However, this characterisation contrasts visually with the time-period suggested by the aged, scuffed and paint-splattered drawer. In its remixing of gender and time, Man in A Shirt Drawer suggests an otherworldly and queer character that interrogates historical representations of the people of the African diaspora, an ongoing theme in the artist’s work” (Tate Modern, Laura Castagnini; April 2018). Man in The Shirt Drawer is apart of ongoing series of Himid’s theme to paint figures on reusable wooden materials like furniture and musical instruments. This exhibitions ticket is available if you join has a member for free tickets.

Lubaina Himid- Man In A Shirt Drawer 2017

There are many different galleries such as Everard Read London gallery which is in Chelsea, a south African contemporary gallery with three galleries in London, Cape Town and Johannesburg and Franschhoek. They aim to showcase South African talent and they also allow solo and group exhibitions for artists around the world. They are one of the largest and oldest commercial galleries. This is one of my favorite galleries as it is all about giving a voice to artists. There will be multiple online exhibitions starting from February 24th to May 25th. Include artists such as Nic Bladen, Tanya Poole, Florian Wozniak, Teresa Kutala Firmino and Lucinda Mudge. Teresa Kutala Firmino being my favorite exhibition which starts on April 28th to May 25th. This collection is called “Manifestation Oku Yongola | Manifestation of Wanting”; Firmino is an artist born in Pomfret, which is a former military camp. Now living in Johannesburg, Firmino is known for mixed media of paint, photography and performance. His work is based around the history of Pomfret and he even did a collaboration with Helena Uambembe, called themselves Kutala Chopeto, which looked into the life of young women who was born and raised in Pomfret. As their work addresses many issues such as identity, heritage and history with links to their family, as Pomfret has Angolan heritage from a African border War. This art gives you a sense of meaning as well as educating you on different aspects of history and things you didn’t know, “I paint the things affecting me and my people; the things causing problems around the development of our young minds.”

For all of you art lovers and those of you who love exhibitions, don’t worry, you know you can have your own at home art gallery with a glass of wine (that’s how I like it) for the next few weeks/ months we are in lockdown. At least you know you can enjoy something you love, I know it’s not the same as physically being there but its better than nothing.

Teresa Kutala Firmino- Manifestation of Wanting

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